Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 35 Number 1

	Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University Incoming editor: Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Georgia
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 35 Number 1 Fall 2002

Bridging the Distance: Responses to Preservice Teacher Postings on a Literacy and Technology Electronic Mailing List
Carolyn Ann Walker
Ball State University

Abstract
In recent years, asynchronous environments, such as e-mail and electronic mailing lists, have been used in instructional contexts by supervisors, cooperating teachers, and others as a medium for communicating with preservice teachers. It is also possible for asynchronous environments such as electronic mailing lists to provide opportunities for preservice teachers to become part of a larger community of educators. This study is an effort to better understand interactions between preservice teachers and other members of the education community in the context of an electronic mailing list environment. Specifically, this study examines responses from participants in a technology and literacy electronic mailing list to postings made by preservice teachers as part of a class assignment. Participants included teachers, professors, and graduate students as well as preservice teachers who took part in a corrective reading course electronic mailing list. Results indicate that (1) responses to postings addressed and reflected questions asked by preservice teachers and (2) responses addressed the preservice teacher postings in at least one of four ways: (a) providing methods and materials, (b) directing students through postings, (c) providing support through stories or coaching, and (d) giving explanations of ideas, methods, and beliefs. These responses occurred across differing types of postings.

Contributors
Carolyn Ann Walker is an assistant professor at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Her areas of research focus on preservice and inservice teacher literacy education and content literacy in the primary grades.

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Contact
Dr. Carolyn Ann Walker
Ball State University
3720 N. Lakeside Drive
Muncie, IN 47304
CWa8758642@aol.com

Copyright © 2002, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.