VIRTUAL STUDENT TEACHING
INFORMATION SHEET
In an effort to provide interested students with a unique technology-centered field experience, the
College and the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education is piloting student teaching
placements in virtual settings. The Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), a public charter school in the
McFarland School District; Wisconsin Virtual Learning (WVL), a public charter school in the Northern
Ozaukee School District; and eAchieve Academy, a public charter school in Waukesha are supporting
our virtual option. At this time the virtual student teaching option is available to students who major in
Special Education only. Virtual student teaching will be arranged for one quarter (9 weeks), following a
traditional 9-week placement.

Eligibility requirements:
o be enrolled in or have completed all undergraduate coursework
o have a positive clinical/practicum experience and recommendation without any noted
deficiencies
o have a 3.25 professional, 3.10 minor, and 3.10 combined grade point average
o be supported by College faculty and staff
o complete training required of new teachers in virtual settings (provided by the virtual
schools prior to student teaching)
o successful completion of 9-week student teaching experience (in area of emphasis) in a
brick-and-mortar school

Expectations during placement:
o Attend on-campus, UW Oshkosh large group seminars including Mock Interviews
o Have a discussion with your University Supervisor about small group seminar and other
expectations
o Be flexible, resilient, and willing to learn
o Have daily correspondence/communication with your cooperating teacher
o Participate in on-line and off-line activities with faculty, staff, students, and families
o Meet all of the requirements of the special education student teaching syllabus

Application Process:
o Meet Admission to Student Teaching requirements and Virtual eligibility requirements
o Complete a regular student teaching application and indicate your interest on the “special
requests” line for a Virtual Field Experience
o Complete the Virtual Student Teaching Application
o Read at least one of the books recommended by professors involved in virtual education
(TBA – you will be emailed a list)
o Complete two reports (one includes a virtual school visit) by the respective deadlines
Revised 9/14/2015
Report #1: Attach to your application. Due March 1/October1:
o
Typed 2-3 pages – based on these points:
 Research the school associated with your virtual placement. Examine diversity data,
socioeconomic demographics, mission statement, special programs, family support, etc.
Compare the demographics of the virtual school to the demographics of the rest of the
district.
 Explain your interest in applying for this special student teaching experience. Include
description of past experiences in virtual educational settings. Also, describe additional
technology skills that you bring to this placement.
 Describe the challenges you foresee regarding working from home and expectations for
yourself in this type of setting.
 Explain your professional goals for student teaching in this setting.
 Describe your communication style and how that will be helpful in a virtual setting.
 Explain ways that you envision reaching out to your cooperating teacher and other
colleagues to collaborate effectively in a virtual environment. Identify the challenges of
effective collaboration in a virtual setting and how you will overcome these.
 Include the date, site, and contact person for your planned full-day visit to a virtual school for
Report #2.
Report #2: Send electronically to the Director of Field Experience by the end of
May/December (petesch@uwosh.edu)
[See Dr. Stacey Skoning for more information on this report’s requirements, school details, and school contacts.]
Report #2 should address all points outlined below and be professionally presented. You will spend one full day
in a virtual school - in classrooms and meetings that are at a similar level to your future placement. It is strongly
recommended that you make this visit soon after your application is submitted to solidify your commitment to
the virtual environment. Include time to interview at least one teacher in the virtual school, the principal,
observe classes, and participate in any other events available during your visit.
o
o
Give the name of the school, the address, principal, and teacher(s) observed
Discuss your observations on:
 Classroom arrangements – use of space and time
 Dynamics of the relationships between pupils and teachers, between various professionals,
and between the teachers and families
 Support structures or resources available to students, teachers, and families
 Lesson planning, differentiation, and alignment with standards and IEP goals
 Interrelationship of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in a virtual setting
 Collecting and analyzing data in relationship to IEP development
 Any other differences between this setting and other traditional classrooms you have
experienced in the past
 Your thoughts on the experience – surprises, changed perspectives, how it has helped
prepare you for a virtual student teaching placement.
Revised 9/14/2015
College of Education and Human Services
Fall / Spring _______ VIRTUAL Student Teaching Application
Name:
Student ID:
Email:
@uwosh.edu
Phone #:
Address:
Major:
Licensure Level:
GPA:
Professional
Major
Minor
Cumulative
Most recent clinical or practicum:
Site
Cooperating Teacher
University Supervisor
Level/Content
Semester completed
School Requested:
Virtual Site – planned to visit for Report #2:
School/City
Content/Grade
I agree to attend required UWO Large Group Seminars and to follow the special education student teaching
syllabus.
SIGNATURE
Date Signed
Office Use Only
Faculty Comments:
Clinical/Practicum Eval:
Report #1:
Comments:
Revised 9/14/2015
Report #2: