Building an experience-based web for student teachers

Many studies found the problems that student teachers face during their apprenticeship year. Very few, however, dealt with their needs to find help to solve the problems. While turning to live persons such as mentoring teachers and colleagues for help are often the choices, the access to these sources is limited by time and space. Cases that bear the complexity of real world situations, on the other hand, may offer alternatives for knowledge gains, perspective growth, and emotional comfort. In this study, a web case discussion forum was designed to draw comments and advice from experienced teachers as well as fellow student teachers on anonymous cases of the student teachers. Initial data collection included an experimental group that participated in case discussion and a control group that did not view the cases during a two-month period. Results obtained by critical problem questionnaire, written case analysis, and perceived outcome survey did not show differences between the two groups. The difficulties of the web building and the pitfalls of the research process were discussed