Brooks and Votteler

Research Presentation at the Universality of Global Education Issues Conference at The Woodlands Center

Dr. Benita R. Brooks and Dr. Nancy K. Votteler presented preliminary findings from their online study abroad exchange research project between teacher candidates in America and teacher candidates in South Africa. The online study abroad exchange took place using Skype and a closed Facebook page. This presentation focused on findings pertaining to the American teacher candidates. Preliminary findings revealed participating in the online study abroad exchange enhanced American teacher candidates’ awareness of cultural diversity and self-perception of their roles and responsibilities as future educators. This study has practical implications for teacher educators seeking an effective framework in which to develop teacher candidates’ intercultural competence in an online study abroad setting.

Presentation

Brooks, B.R. & Votteler, N.K. (2016). Different doesn’t mean wrong: Teacher candidates in the United States and South Africa Participate in an Online Study Abroad Exchange. 3^rd Annual Universality of Global Education Issues Conferences, The Woodlands, Texas.

Research Seminar Presentation at North West University in Mafikeng, South Africa:

Dr. Benita R. Books and Dr. Nancy K. Votteler conducted a research seminar for the Faculty of Education at the North West University campus in Mafikeng, South Africa. This presentation focused on findings pertaining to the South African teacher candidates. At this particular presentation, five South African teacher candidates who participated in the project shared the impact that this online study abroad exchanged had on them. Similarly, preliminary findings revealed participating in the online study abroad exchange enhanced South African teacher candidates’ awareness of cultural diversity and self-perception of their roles and responsibilities as future educators.

Invited Speaker

Erasmus, M., Brooks, B.R. & Votteler, N.K. (2016). An online study abroad exchange between teacher candidates in the United States and South Africa.  Faculty of Education Research Seminar. North West University, Mafikeng, South Africa. 

Family Writing Project:

Dr. Benita R. Brooks, Dr. Melinda Miller, and Dr. Nancy K. Votteler conducted a family writing project at a local Boys and Girls Club. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways an after school Family Writing Project affected grades K-6 students’ attitudes toward themselves as writers and toward writing and parents’ attitudes toward themselves as writers and toward creating an environment that enabled their children to become skillful writers.

Publication:

Brooks, B.R., Miller, M., Votteler, N.K. (2016). A recipe for an almost disaster: Families writing and sharing stories around a kitchen table. Florida Reading Journal (51) 2, 28-36.