‘Online Pre-service Teacher Placements’ during COVID-19: A Compromise or an Opportunity?

Abstract

The nationwide closures of schools due to the outbreak of COVID-19 are impacting almost 70% of the world's student population . While most teaching has been undertaken remotely and on digital platforms, trainee teachers in many countries are uncertain what the future holds as placements are put on hold. In Hong Kong, all schools suspended since late January 2020. Kindergartens, primary and secondary school only resumed classes by phases in a gradual and orderly manner starting from late May 2020, but has closed again from early December 2020 (Education Bureau, 2020; Information Services Department, 2020). Meanwhile, most tertiary schools have suspended face-to-face classes for almost a whole year already. Without interrupting learning, most students -from kindergarten to university -are resorting to online learning at home. The sudden transformation from face-to-face instruction to online learning has posed challenges not only for in-service teachers but also for trainee teachers,...