Research Lab

Virtual Global Teaching Laboratory: Training Teachers for a Connected World

IGlobal research laboratory aims to explore how teacher training programs can prepare pre-service teachers and practicing teachers for practice in diverse classrooms and communities through the application of technology in the form of virtual study abroad.

When study abroad was suddenly halted in March 2020, our teacher education program scrambled to find other activities for preservice teachers that could provide some of the benefits usually obtained through study abroad. Our virtual program would allow preservice teachers and practicing teachers to remain quite literally on their own veranda or anywhere else they wanted to be while participating, and they would be engaging from the virtual bubble. Pre-service teachers teach at the international club that practicing teachers attend with their students. The club comprises chapters of middle school students located around the globe.

The IGlobal group harnesses the extensive expertise of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students at Illinois and beyond, contributing to the development of curricula and research endeavors.