Here’s a tidbit over at DistrictAdministration.com. Professors at University of Central Florida have designed a classroom simulator to help prospective teachers prepare for real world teaching.
The link provides only the first few paragraphs of an article from the Orlando Sentinel, which has since been taken offline. Fortunately, a UCF press release offers considerably more detail regarding the program.
College of Education Professors Lisa Dieker and Mike Hynes, in conjunction with UCF’s Institute for Simulation and Training, Computer Science and student actors from the Interactive Performance Lab, developed a virtual, interactive environment that can give teachers real experience in handling a classroom. Lockheed Martin brings years of experience to the partnership including research, concepts and prototypes of models and simulations in the areas of teacher training and professional development.
Using a combination of technology, real life experience and entertainment the university has been able to create scenarios that are very realistic and have already assisted new teachers in thinking differently about their classroom. In fact, several teachers who tested out the virtual classroom continue to talk about how they need to change their teaching or to “try” again to make sure they meet the needs of these students who are not real.
A simulated classroom should provide an excellent resource for prospective teachers, and give them opportunities to experience “worst case” scenarios without the fear of failure.
References:
Kotala, Z. G. (2008, May 1). UCF and Lockheed Martin announce partnership to expand new screening and training technology. [Online]. Available: http://neighbors.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id
=0024004168851b1c0119a5470a22002594&mode=neighbors
Virtual classroom at the University of Central Florida puts teachers to the test. (2008, May 19). DistrictAdministration.com. [Online]. Available: http://www.districtadministration.com/newssummary.aspx?
news=yes&postid=50025
June 25, 2008 at 9:24 pm |
[...] Here’s a tidbit over at DistrictAdministration.com. Professors at University of Central Florida have designed a classroom simulator to help prospective teachers prepare for real world teaching. The link provides only the first few paragraphs of an article from the Orlando Sentinel, which has since been taken offline. Fortunately, a UCF press release offers considerably more detail regarding the program. College of Education Professors Lisa Dieker and Mike Hynes, in conjunction with UCF’s In [...]