Using an Electronic Bulletin Board in Science Teacher Education: Issues and Trade-offs
Ruth S. Burkett
Central Missouri State University
Cynthia Leard
University of South Florida
Barbara S. Spector
University of South Florida
Abstract
University professors increasingly are expected to infuse computer technology in teaching. Many universities are aggressively promoting the delivery of entire courses and programs using computers and the Internet as vehicles for instruction. There is also a movement to align university teaching with the national standards for K-12 teaching. National and state standards call for K-12 teachers to integrate computer technology in teaching. One way to encourage prospective or experienced teachers to do that is to provide opportunities to experience success using computer technology during preservice and in-service courses. Computer-mediated communication (CMC), or any form of communication that takes place with the use of a personal computer, can be an effective tool for not only infusing technology in an education course, but also for fostering the creation of a community of learners within which the social interaction supporting meaningful learning occurs (Fussell & Benimoff, 1995; Herring, 1996; Nonis, Bronack, & Haton, 1998).
About the Author(s)...
Ruth S. Burkett is Assistant Professor of Science Education at Central Missouri State University. She has over 20 years experience teaching in the elementary classroom. She has been particularly interested in incorporating technology in the elementary science classroom and in science teacher preparation. Her current research interests focus on development of the community of learners and enhancing preservice teachers’ attitudes toward and self-efficacy in science and science teaching. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cyndy Leard is the Education Specialist for the Florida Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence located at the University of South Florida. In this position she acts as a liaison between research scientists, science educators, and the general public. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Science Education. One of her research interests is studying cross-cultural partnership development and social interaction patterns of member stakeholders. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Barbara S. Spector is Professor of Science Education at the University of South Florida and Director of the Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence. She is an accomplished author and grants person at the forefront of reform in science teacher education. She specializes in teaching through inquiry and the interaction of science, technology and society using the computer. Her primary research interest is how change occurs in education. Recently she has been studying collaborative processes in science education. She has can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
