Collaborative Teacher Sensemaking Around Mixed-Reality Simulations

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Research in Teacher Learning Through Discourses and Dialogues

Abstract

With the growing prevalence of technologies to support teacher learning, we seek to understand the affordances of one such technology: mixed reality simulations (MRS). In this paper we describe our analysis of the debrief discussions that occurred in the context of transitions between MRS rehearsals, within a masters course for in-service teachers, to describe the collaborative sensemaking that occurred in those discussions. The MRS supported teachers’ learning because they could pause and jointly discuss how to move forward, and they could continue to formulate ideas about how to handle the mistakes, try them out, and then make adjustments to their approach as they return to their own classrooms. The design of the course supported teachers’ collaborative sensemaking.

Authors

• Anne Garrison Wilhelm, Southern Methodist University

• Ann Marie Wernick, Southern Methodist University

• Jamie D. Gravell, California State University - Stanislaus