Reading Classroom Explorer: Navigating and Conceptualizing a Hypermedia Learning Environment

Joan E. Hughes
Becky Wai-Ling Packard
P. David Pearson

Note: To read the transcript of an online chat with the article's authors, click here.

This multimedia article is adapted with the permission of P. David Pearson and the National Reading Conference from Hughes, J.E., Packard, B.W., & Pearson, P.D. (1997). Reading Classroom Explorer: Visiting classrooms via hypermedia. 46th Annual National Reading Conference Yearbook. Chicago, IL: National Reading Conference.

Abstract

In this article, we describe the development and pilot testing of the Reading Classroom Explorer, a hypermedia environment designed to help preservice teachers learn how to teach reading. The Explorer uses video clips based on the teaching practices of six exemplary teachers of reading and are made accessible to a user through a three-tiered search engine. In this pilot study, several education students used the Explorer to complete tasks (using the think-aloud method) and also participated in an interview. We were able to identify a range of metaphors for how participants construed the Explorer as a learning environment, navigational strategies the participants used, and suggestions for how the design of the Explorer could be improved to support preservice teacher learning. This multimedia article provides access to the video and audio clips to fully engage the reader in the participants' experiences with Explorer and the development process.

Contents

Introduction
Background
Product Development
Method
Results

Diane
Kevin
Judy and Liz
Matt

Author Biographies

Joan E. Hughes (e-mail: hughesj9@pilot.msu.edu) is a Ph.D. candidate in educational psychology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Web site: http://www.msu.edu/~hughesj9/

Becky Wai-Ling Packard (e-mail: packardb@pilot.msu.edu) is a Ph.D. candidate in educational psychology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Web site: http://www.msu.edu/~packardb/

P. David Pearson (e-mail: ppearson@ msu.edu) is the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of Education in the College of Education at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Web site: http:// http://ed-web2.educ.msu.edu/Faculty/FacForm.asp

Back