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Abstract:The National Institute of Education (NIE)

Advancement in information and communication technologies has brought about the development of newer tools that can promote collaborative learning. Conversant Media is a tool that allows users to engage in collaborative discussion based on viewing authentic video footages. This article reports the impact of the use of the tool on collaborative learning in a teacher education course. The trainee teachers engaged themselves enthusiastically in this exercise going beyond the minimum number of postings expected of them. Both the quantity and quality of interaction improved over the three activities they were engaged in. Writing critical comments on classroom events and reading feedback from peers were highly valued by the trainee teachers. Conversant Media has the potential for use in teacher education as an alternative means to classroom visits.

<em>Conversant Media</em><span> is a server based application software enabling users to engage in collaborative discussion by attaching notes to video footage. </span><em>Conversant Media</em><span> was used in the module</span><em>Instructional Strategies and Effective Learning</em><span> 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 </span><em>Conversant Media</em><span> 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.</span>