Graduate Assistants’ Perspective as Student Avatars in a Simulation of Teaching Algebra for Diverse Learners

• In Event: Roundtable Session 118
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Technology and Mathematics Learning

Abstract

From the perspective of Graduate Research Students (GRAs) as middle-grade student avatars, we investigated the design and simulation of a problem-based teaching environment in Second Life (SL) for prospective teachers to teach algebra for diverse learners. The findings suggest that the major challenges in the simulation include questioning the prospective teachers and allowing them to know student avatars better. Effective procedures were identified as designing and assigning questions for GRAs to ask during the interactions between student avatars and prospective teachers in SL teaching. Suggestions for future simulations were also provided. Implications for integrating interactive learning environment into teacher education were discussed.

Authors

• Tingting Ma, Texas A&M University

• Irving A. Brown, Texas A&M University

• Chance W. Lewis, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• G Donald Allen, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Trina J. Davis, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Gerald Kulm, Texas A&M University