A Series of Case Studies Exploring How to Develop and Maintain A Community of Pre-Service Trainee ESL Teachers on Field Experience Practicum in Hong Kong
Mr. Mark Brooke

Abstract
Three action research case studies of eight weeks were conducted with 24 third year undergraduate trainee teachers on their first intensive field experience practicum in secondary state schools in Hong Kong. Using a virtual learning environment, strategies were employed to develop communities of practice. These were done to enhance the support offered to students during practicum. Findings suggest that online communities can develop effectively if a systematic set of strategies exploiting the collaborative and asynchronous nature of the online environment are implemented. These strategies are presented and analyzed.

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