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)