Using Action Research to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Confidence, Knowledge and Beliefs about Technology
Mary Lundeberg
Mark Bergland
Karen Klyczek
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Dan Hoffman
River Falls High School
River Falls, WI
Abstract
Involving future teachers in action research projects along with professors and/or teachers may provide opportunities for future teachers to develop content pedagogical knowledge, examine beliefs about teaching, and gain confidence. In this study, we focus on changes in the beliefs, knowledge, and confidence of 10 preservice teachers engaged in action research with a biology professor, a teacher educator, and a high school biology teacher to evaluate a National Science Foundation-sponsored project over a two-year period. The purpose of the NSF project is to enhance case-based learning in high school and university biology courses worldwide through the use of molecular biology computer simulations and Internet conferencing. Our results showed that engaging preservice teachers in action research studying the effect of case-based multimedia learning promoted reflection on beliefs about interacting with and monitoring students in computer lab situations, as well as dispositions of teachers. In addition, preservice teachers reported gaining confidence and developing more complex technological pedagogical content knowledge.
About the Author(s)...
Mary Lundeberg is a Professor in the Teacher Education Department at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and teaches educational psychology, research methods and science pedagogy. Her research interests include assessing what and how students learn from technology projects, examining cultural and gender influences on confidence, and studying case-based instruction. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mark Bergland is a Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has taught Introductory Biology at UW-River Falls for 24 years. Dr. Bergland has developed educational software with support from the National Science Foundation and the University of Wisconsin System. His software has been published by the BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium, and results of grant activities have been presented at numerous national and international conferences. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Karen Klyczek is a Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and has presented results of the Case It! project and other research at numerous regional and national conferences. In addition to case-based learning, her research interests include immunology, resistance to virus-induced diseases, and regulation of gene expression. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dan Hoffman is a biology teacher at the River Falls High School and has been involved in several collaborative projects with the University of WI-River Falls. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
