Transcending digital, performance, and innovation divides in the preparation of new teachers

Abstract

In this article I argue that teacher educators must prepare future classroom teachers to bridge innovation, digital and performance divides so that they are supported to develop new pedagogy that incorporates technology to increase student performance. In most of the teacher licensure programs at the University of Minnesota, where I direct its Ed‐U‐Tech project, a Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) grant, we are working towards these ends. In particular, I describe the eTIP Cases, an instructional tool that others and I have created to develop preservice teachers’ technology integration abilities. These instructional cases are powered by IMMEX software, which provides embedded assessment capabilities. It is felt that the learning environments created by these cases and the response they demand help preservice teachers to develop the instructional planning and decision‐making skills necessary to bridge innovation, digital and performance divides in K12 schools.