Teacher Moments: A Digital Simulation for Preservice Teachers to Approximate Parent–Teacher Conversations

Abstract

Interactive simulations allow preservice teachers to connect education theory and pedagogy in scaffolded environments. We created digital simulations with scenarios from in-person simulations and used them to prepare novice teachers for conversations with parents. Using a design-based approach we implemented the simulations in an education class, gathered data through surveys and observations, and incorporated feedback into subsequent designs. Novice teachers perceived the simulation as authentic and practiced maintaining composure and articulating pedagogical approaches. Recordings of novice teachers’ responses produced by the simulation enabled self-reflection and peer and instructor feedback. Results suggest that these digital simulations hold promise as low-cost, flexible tools for novice teachers to engage in targeted practice in a low-stakes setting.

Keywords::

• digital simulation
• approximation
• practice-based teacher education
• parent-teacher conversations
• teacher education

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to Acknowledge Rupal Jain for playing the role of Jennifer Turner in the Turner-Rigor simulation, the students in the 11.125 course for trying the simulations, Ben Dotger for advice and feedback during the design and development of Teacher Moments, and the Woodrow Wilson Academy of Teaching and Learning for funding the project.

Author Notes

Meredith Thompson is a research scientist at the Teaching Systems Lab (TSL) and a lecturer in the Scheller Teacher Education Program (STEP). Her research focuses on the influence of collaboration and creativity in STEAM learning environments and practice-based teacher education. She uses practice spaces as part of her course, and participated in the research planning and implementation of Teacher Moments. She is also the project manager for the Innovating New Spaces for Research and Practice and Research in Education (INSPIRE). Please address correspondence regarding this article to Meredith M. Thompson, Comparative Media Studies and Writing, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Kesiena Owho-Ovuakporie is currently a software engineer at Amazon Web Services. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Manchester and a dual master’s degree in technology and policy program and electrical engineering and computer science from the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kesiena helped develop and test Teacher Moments as part of his master’s thesis work.