Infusing technology in pre service teacher education programs in Portugal : an experience with weblogs

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents an experience of internet integration in pre service teacher education programs in Portugal. Participated in the study 26 student teachers, 14 from Natural Sciences (S) and 12 from Foreign Language classes (L). Future teachers were encouraged to set up and maintain a weblog for their future students over a period of ten weeks during the 2nd semester of 2005/2006 in Educational Technology course (ET). The post-course survey and informal observations confirmed that, though not having prior experience of web design, student teachers enjoyed the experience and that the learning of a new-based technology such as blogging was something they felt complemented and enriched their pre service education. Results also point out differences between S and L students that can serve as interesting cues for the design of teacher education curricula in Portugal according to the Bologne Reform.