"It Gave Me an Opportunity to Apply What I Learned": Using Computer Simulations to Develop Preservice Teachers' Lesson Planning Practices

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Technology Use in Preservice Teacher Learning

Abstract

This proposal aims to explore lesson planning instruction through the creation and evaluation of using computer-based simulations of practice in an elementary teacher education program, specifically lesson planning for this proposal. Through the implementation of the simulations with two cohorts of pre-service teachers, as well as through subsequent surveys and one-on-one interviews, we were able to determine both the students’ successes and challenges within the simulated practice, as well as to gather information on their perceptions of the effectiveness and efficacy of this virtual platform as a site of learning about professional decision making in the creation of literacy lessons.

Authors

• Michelle J Sobolak, University of Pittsburgh

• Katrina Emily Bartow Jacobs, University of Pittsburgh