Developing Teachers as Critical Thinkers and Learners
Since AACTE and Mursion launched the Education Roundtable series, we have had the pleasure of showcasing the work of educators, who have integrated teacher training via virtual reality (VR) simulation into their respective programs or are studying the various aspects of this modality.
In an upcoming three-part mini-series, Carrie Straub, executive director of education programs and research at Mursion, will host a team from Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) who have generously offered to share the magic behind their work. They will upack and discuss the following:
- Recruiting and training simulation specialists
- The development of simulations including how participants are oriented into Mursion experiences, models for simulation designs, and post simulation activities aimed at transferring skills
- The development of four simulations developed through the Reach Every Reader grant which HGSE designed to develop teachers as critical thinkers and learners in the classroom alongside their students
Register now for this free mini-series.
Part 1: Optimizing simulation specialists to strengthen learning opportunities
Tuesday, July 28, 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET
The simulation specialist is the key to an effective simulation.Through the Reach Every Reader grant, HGSE collaborates with artist-coaches as well as university students to implement simulations designed to develop literacy related teaching practices. Simulation specialists describe how their observation, improvisation, teaching, and coaching skills are used during simulations. We will discuss the unique challenges and affordances of being the “human in the loop” aimed at developing teaching skills. Finally, we explore the use of students as simulation specialists.
Part 2: Before, During, and After Simulations: Developing a Teacher Learning Experience
Tuesday, August 4, 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET
How can simulations be designed to leverage the unique learning opportunities such as the ability to start over, go deeper, or try a new question? Through the Reach Every Reader grant, HGSE has used four simulations designed to develop teaching practices used during core instruction in response to learners with a wide range of reading abilities. Simulation specialists describe how they provide feedback to educators both as avatar students and a mentor coach. We will discuss how simulations can be designed to personalize the experience based on the participant’s learning needs.
Part 3: Agile Teacher Thinking: What is it and how to get it through Mursion Simulations Tuesday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET
How can Mursion simulations be used to develop teacher agile thinking capacities necessary to make decisions to adjust instruction in response to learning needs? Simulation specialists demonstrate one of the simulations and then we discuss how thinking skills are developed. We will explore the limits and levers to promoting rapid culturally affirming teacher decision-making during lessons, specifically in response to the learning needs of readers with different abilities.
Featured Speakers:
- Chris Dede, Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Rhonda Bondie, Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Aminisha Ferdinand, Creative Learning Consultant, KID smART
- Sean Glazebrook, Educational Consultant, KidsmART
- Nicole Nash, Assistant Director of Professional Learning, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Register now for this free mini-series.
Tags: AACTE online resources, AACTE partner organizations, clinical preparation, technology
