Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Exploring the Perceptions of In-Service Teachers in a Virtual Field Experience

摘要

This study examines the experiences of teachers enrolled in an online certificate program for K~12 online teaching. Participants blogged weekly regarding their experiences developing and facilitating an online course. Qualitative analysis of the data shows that teachers face many challenges in developing and facilitating an online course; however, they found support from their colleagues enrolled in the program. Additionally, teachers found value in the authentic experience afforded them in the virtual field experience in that it gave them exposure to online learning theory coupled with the opportunity to design and facilitate their own online courses.