A Review of Computer Simulations in Teacher Education

Abstract

Computer simulations can provide guided practice for a variety of situations that pre-service teachers would not frequently experience during their teacher education studies. Pre-service teachers can use simulations to turn the knowledge they have gained in their coursework into real experience. Teacher simulation training has come a long way over the past few decades, from the “stop video method,” virtual puppetry, and Multi-User Virtual Environment to single user simulations in which the simulation has pre-programmed responses to complex threads of interactions between the preservice teacher and the simulated student. There are a number of single user simulations for teacher training, including those focused on classroom management, identifying at-risk students, and bullying prevention. Computer simulations aren't intended to be a substitute for hands-on classroom experience; rather, they provide specific skill-building lessons to teacher candidates. This history and overview of computer simulations will help teacher educators know what simulations are available and choose the best tools for their training programs.