A Reflection on the Relationship between Technology and Teacher Education: synergy or separate entities?

Abstract

The basis of this paper is the observation, supported by various international surveys and discussions, that much of the 'education' teachers receive concerning the applications of computer-related technology has occurred not only apart from a direct relationship to research about information technology and its learning impact on students, but also outside of the mainstream teacher education system itself. In this essay, an historical perspective is used to consider the relationship between information technology (IT) and teacher education (TE) to support the argument that there has been little substantial symbiosis between the educational technology community and the teacher education community, and that the 'computers in education” movement has further splintered rather than integrated these communities. The argument is also made that developments such as the on-line provision of new forms of teacher education offers additional challenges to the mainstream teacher education community. The essay argues that synergy rather than fragmentation or even competition is needed among the many players involved with information technology and teacher education.