Portal tasks in preservice teacher education : reconceptualising professional practice

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a pedagogical strategy utilized by Central Queensland University's Faculty of Education and Creative Arts within its Bachelor of Learning Management program. In response to a call for more authentic university learning experiences, preservice teachers are challenged with a series of educationally relevant Portal Tasks. As an integral component of the Faculty's education degree, these tasks provide opportunities for preservice teachers to engage, physically and intellectually in real world classroom and school activities. Specifically, the paper reports the use of Portal Tasks as an integrating device, linking theoretical knowledge to practical classroom experience.