Collaborative Synchronous Coaching to support triadic collaboration and bridge the theory-practice divide in initial teacher education

Abstract

Advancements in technology have enabled a range of approaches to support preservice teacher development. This research suggests using collaborative synchronous coaching (CSC), through Bug-in-Ear (BIE) technology, as a tool to reduce the theory-practice divide by enhancing collaboration between the visiting lecturer, the mentor teacher and the preservice teacher. Three stages of research were conducted to test CSC's effectiveness in providing feedback. The study examined the concept of CSC, protocol and best practices for using CSC, and the tool's potential to establish a collaborative third space in ITE. The findings from field notes, semi-structured interviews and video observations suggest that CSC is a new coaching technique that can provide an alternative way to support collaborative pedagogical development for preservice teachers while strengthening relationships and opportunities for reciprocal learning. Educators using CSC can navigate their identities within the space more transparently, collaboratively, and constructively. The power of synchronous feedback from more than one person reframes the triadic conversation into a new paradigm.