Comparing Two Pre-Service Learning Scenario Formats: Web-Conference & In-Person

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to compare student satisfaction on two different teaching formats, in-person instruction (IPI) and web-conference instruction (WCI). Participants were 42 pre-service teachers who were completing their service learning requirements. Students were enrolled as elementary education majors in a teacher education undergraduate program in the southeastUnited States. A seven-item course evaluation survey was developed to assess such students’ areas as understanding the learning objectives, comfort level of the learning environment, instructor communication barriers, and willingness for future participation. Findings from this study indicated that web-conference instruction provided equivalent levels of students’ 1) understanding the learning objectives, 2) comfort level of the learning environment, and 3) willingness for future participation as the in-person format.