Digital Simulations as Sources of Leadership Decision-Making Self-Efficacy in Preservice Principals

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
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Abstract

Educational leadership preparation programs (ELPPs) must meet the call to prepare leaders for the needs of today’s diverse schools. Highly self-efficacious leaders are better poised to address gaps in educational opportunities resulting in academic disparities. The purpose of this study was to explore how experiences with digital simulations might provide sources of leadership decision-making self-efficacy to pre-service leaders. Students demonstrated growth in 12 leadership decision-making skills in all nine courses and attributed their increased confidence to components of the simulation experience. These types of simulated learning experiences served as sources of leadership decision-making self-efficacy and deserve consideration for placement in ELPP pedagogy.

Authors

• Daniel Moraguez, University of Virginia

• Davis Clement, Eastern Michigan University

• Margaret Thornton, Princeton University

• Sara L. Dexter, University of Virginia