An Evaluation of Web Conferencing in Online Teacher Preparation

Abstract: More and more colleges and universities are utilizing web-based instruction to meet the educational needs of teachers seeking certification in special education, and effective course design strategies for using this technology are needed. In this article we present results form a survey of 54 teachers who evaluated 6 design considerations for using web conferencing in an on-line introductory methods course in the area of emotional/behavioral disorders. The design considerations were class and team size, learning activities, instructor’s role, feedback from classmates and instructors, building a sense of community, and technical support. We found that web conferencing was perceived as a very effective delivery format for offering coursework and other professional development experiences to mid-career changers and teachers on limited licenses. School districts often hire mid-careerchangers and teachers on limited or emergency licenses to help alleviate the crit-ical shortage of certified teachers in special education. In Indiana, for example, there are over 500 teachers in the area of emotional/ behavioral disorders who have been hired t