Digital Teacher Education for a Better Future: Recommendations for Teacher Preparation for an Online Environment

Abstract

In light of current or future pandemics, natural disasters, war, or personal preferences, remote or online learning is becoming increasingly common. This reality means that teachers need to be equipped with the skills necessary to effectively teach online. In this paper the authors highlight the importance of preparing teachers with effective online teaching skills and knowledge, and suggest two areas for improvement: (1) research support for scholars to build a knowledge base to better understand effective online teaching, and (2) changes to teacher preparation programs to better equip teachers for this changing reality. Before presenting these recommendations, a brief discussion of the state of K-12 online learning globally, as well as the limitations of existing teacher education, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic is provided.

Keywords

• k-12 online learning
• k-12 distance education
• virtual schooling
• cyber schooling
• online learning
• online teaching
• teacher education
• teacher preparation
• pre-service teachers
• in-service teachers
• pandemic
• remote learning
• emergency preparedness