Using On-Line Discussion to Develop Preservice Teacher Understanding of Classroom Management

This paper describes how a knowledge building community (KBC) of preservice teachers used an on-line discussion forum to develop knowledge about the role of the teacher in modern schools. It traces their initial use of the technology and follows the evolution of its use over a three-year period describing the role of the students and university lecturers in facilitating discussion. The paper then focuses on how members of the KBC used an on-line discussion forum to reflect on and share learning experiences as they developed classroom management strategies.