Collaborative Synchronous Coaching to Enable the Third Space in Initial Teacher Education

Research highlights the third space as a theory to enhance the practicum experience. This study explores how Collaborative Synchronous Coaching (CSC) can enable concepts found in the literature regarding the third space and initial teacher education (ITE). It used critical participatory action research to develop CSC and guide data collection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four triads, indicating that CSC is a new and practical andragogical technique to enable concepts of the third space in ITE. Pre and post-intervention surveys supported this conclusion. Authentic collaboration is facilitated, relationships de-hierarchized, and greater accountability encouraged, providing effective preparation of beginning teachers. A recommendation is to build a foundation of relational trust before implementing CSC.