It is essential to prepare preservice teachers with strategies to manage student behaviors so that effective instruction can take place in K-12 settings. Mixed Reality Simulations (MRS) provide preservice teachers with opportunities to manage and/or redirect inappropriate behaviors with student avatars prior to beginning clinical teaching. Along with MRS, provocative vignettes developed by in-service teachers describing scenarios that occurred in real classrooms allow for critical thinking and productive discussions among preservice teachers. In a preservice teacher education course in spring, 2023, MRS and vignettes allowed 20 preservice teachers opportunities to work together and identify solutions to address student concerns. Elementary and middde school avatars engaged directly with preservice teachers, providing some surprising moments and thought-provoking discussions. MRS and vignettes may provide strategies for preparing preservice teachers to be effective educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide teacher educators with a better understanding of how Mixed Reality Simulations and vignettes can prepare preservice teachers to practice classroom management in realistic ways, in supportive environments, prior to beginning clinical teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Jane Elizabeth Casey (Lamar University: Beaumont, TX)