Using digital videos to enhance teacher preparation

Abstract: The technology to produce high quality, digital videos is widely available, yet its use in teacher preparation remains largely overlooked. A digital video library was created to augment instruction in a special education methods course for preservice elementary education teachers. The videos illustrated effective strategies for working with students with disabilities in general education settings. All videos were filmed in the local public schools. The processes involved with identifying who, what, and where to videotape, obtaining parental permission, collecting digital video, and creating digital movies are described in this article. Considerations for teacher educators seeking to construct and use digital videos as a form of pedagogy are examined, and directions for future research are discussed. Numerous forms of technology are beingemployed to further enhance and/or supplement the educational experience for university students. For example, professors have increasingly used the Internet to help bridge the information divide by a) delivering coursework through distance education in order to reach a greater number of student