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Preparing pre-service teachers for classroom practice in a virtual world: A pilot study using Second Life
Citation
Muir, T and Allen, JM and Rayner, CS and Cleland, B, Preparing pre-service teachers for classroom practice in a virtual world: A pilot study using Second Life, Journal of Interactive Media in Education Article 3. ISSN 1365-893X (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Licenced under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Official URL: http://jime.open.ac.uk/article/2013-03/pdf
DOI: doi:10.5334/2013-03
Abstract
Many pre-service teachers feel under-prepared to teach students with a diverse range of needs and abilities and continue to be concerned about classroom behaviour management when undertaking practicum experiences. In order to address these concerns, teacher educators have explored alternative pedagogical approaches, including computer based simulations and immersion in virtual worlds. This paper reports on the results of a pilot study conducted with eight pre-service teachers who operated avatars in a virtual classroom created within Second Life (SL)™. The pre-service teachers were able to role-play students with a diverse range of behaviours and engage in reflective discussion about their experiences. The results showed that the pre-service teachers appreciated the opportunity to engage in an authentic classroom experience without impacting on "real" students, but that the platform of SL proved limiting in enacting certain aspects of desired teaching pedagogy. The findings of this pilot study are discussed in relation to improving the preparation of pre-service teachers for practicum.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | inclusive practices, practicum, pre-service teachers, Second Life, virtual classroom |
Research Division: | Education |
Research Group: | Education systems |
Research Field: | Teacher education and professional development of educators |
Objective Division: | Education and Training |
Objective Group: | Teaching and curriculum |
Objective Field: | Teaching and instruction technologies |
UTAS Author: | Muir, T (Associate Professor Tracey Muir) |
UTAS Author: | Allen, JM (Dr Jeanne Allen) |
UTAS Author: | Rayner, CS (Dr Christopher Rayner) |
UTAS Author: | Cleland, B (Mr Ben Cleland) |
ID Code: | 84394 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Deposited By: | Education |
Deposited On: | 2013-05-10 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-06 |
Downloads: | 300 View Download Statistics |
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