Using Virtual Role-Play to Enhance Teacher Candidates' Skills in Responding to Bullying

• In Event: Roundtable Session 54
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Approaches to Approximations of Practice in Teacher Education

Abstract

Teachers can play a critical role in stopping bullying-related violence. However, a majority of teachers report they are reluctant to become involved in peer conflicts for fear of making the situation worse. Capitalizing on recent advances in artificial intelligence, we developed a “virtual roleplay” tool to help teacher candidates effectively respond to classroom bullying by providing them with opportunities to engage in practice conversations. To test the effectiveness of the virtual roleplay, we asked the following research questions:
1. Do teacher candidates who participate in virtual roleplay demonstrate significantly better communication skills than those who engage in face-to-face roleplay?
2. Do teacher candidates find use of virtual roleplay acceptable and socially valid?

Authors

• Deborah L. Schussler, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Jennifer L Frank, The Pennsylvania State University

• Julia Mahfouz, The Pennsylvania State University