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Chapter 16
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-5631-2.ch016
ABSTRACT
Distance education has long been used both in pre-service and in-service teacher education programs
to provide wider opportunities to people who are not able to attend face-to face courses. Since teacher
education is a wide topic with participants having quite a wide range of needs, there is still a need to
get information on diferent models, especially on the practicum part of teacher education. Within the
realm of this topic, this chapter aims to describe an innovative model, the design of which is based on a
need in Turkey, and discuss it in the light of available literature. After a brief terminology clarifcation,
major models and trends in language teacher education are brought forth and discussed. Then, the model
developed by Anadolu University, Distance English Language Teacher Training (DELTT), is explained
and further suggestions on the issue are made.
INTRODUCTION
Distance education has long been a major form of professional development for pre-service and in-service
teachers all over the world. With advancements in information technologies, distance teacher education
programs and courses have undergone various changes, too. Although distance education has a long
history within the broader subject of teacher education, there is still the need to obtain information on
different models using different information technologies to improve the quality of the programs (Burns,
2011; Murray, 2013). What is more, teaching is a very complex process in which teachers should be
well informed and competent in order to adapt to different contexts, and possess a life-long motivation.
Practicum, the most crucial component of teacher training programs, is especially essential for pre-service
Teacher Training in
Distance Education and
the Practicum Process
Belgin Aydin
Anadolu University, Turkey
Ilknur Kecik
Anadolu University, Turkey