Using Conversant Media as a collaborative learning tool in teacher education

Abstract

Conversant Media is a server based application software enabling users to engage in collaborative discussion by attaching notes to video footage. Conversant Media was used in the moduleInstructional Strategies and Effective Learning at the National Institute of Education, Singapore as a way to engage students in reflective analysis of authentic classroom teaching episodes so that they will have a deeper understanding of how the theories are translated to actual practice in classroom situations. Participants were surveyed to obtain reactions to video clips, writing comments, reading comments, features of Conversant Media and overall impressions. Results indicate that students benefited from the use of the software in the delivery of this course, through improved commentary skills. Trainee teachers developed abilities to analyse teaching episodes and make quality comments reflecting an improved understanding of the teaching-learning process in classrooms.