Entering the classroom for the first time is a daunting prospect for many pre-service teachers.

Now, taking the leap from teaching theory to practice will become easier thanks to cutting-edge software.

UWA’s Graduate School of Education is collaborating with Murdoch University to give pre-service teachers access to mixed-reality simulation technology.

TeachLivE presents pre-service teachers with a virtual class consisting of five avatar students programmed with distinctive personality types.

While engaging with the simulation, pre-service teachers manage the virtual classrooms and deliver a lesson.

Dr Fiona Mayne from the Graduate School of Education recently won an Education Futures grant to develop the use of TeachLivE at UWA.

“TeachLivE will allow pre-service teachers to practise their skills in a safe, risk-free, and controlled simulated environment before entering their teaching practicum,” Dr Mayne said.

“The virtual classroom can be used to give praise, question students, correct errors, and engage in classroom management.

“Each session will be video recorded, allowing for self-reflection and for feedback from tutors and peers.

“By using TeachLivE, pre-service teachers will be able to demonstrate their readiness for classroom management and will be able to enter the classroom with greater confidence.”

TeachLivE was originally developed at the University of Central Florida and funded by the Bill Gates Foundation. TeachLivE has now been used by around 10,000 pre-service teachers, primarily in the United States.

Further information

Please contact Fiona Mayne at fiona.mayne@uwa.edu.au or call 6488 1490

 

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