The Multifaced Opportunities for Utilization of Simulation-Based Learning Models in K-12 and Professional Development in Education

A special issue of Education Sciences (ISSN 2227-7102).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 3085

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Education and Leader-Ship, Achva Academic College, Shikmim 79800, Israel
Interests: special-education; teacher-education; inclusion; think-ing development; mediation and learning strategies

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Education and Leader-Ship, Achva Academic College, Shikmim 79800, Israel
Interests: simulation-based learning; teacher education; teacher training in a techno-pedagogical environment; literature and teaching literature

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout the last two decades, the use of simulation-based learning methods in teacher education has been promoted from a variety of perspectives (Chernikova et al., 2020). The term “simulation” has many uses (McGarr, 2020); while educators, scholars and companies are motivated to develop different models of simulations for learning and teaching processes, they all share the same core goal of integrating theory and practice in teacher education programs. On this vein, simulations invite the learners to cope with complex scenarios to better prepare the teachers for their role as educators. Furthermore, the teachers’ professional identity develops, along with the improvement of education (Kasperski and Crispel, 2021). Nevertheless, in order to expand the influence of these models, we must collect the findings from new studies and discuss their advantages and challenges.

The goal of this Special Issue is to offer researchers, educators, and all the readers the opportunity to implement simulations for the development of high-quality educational systems in general and teacher education programs in particular.

References

Chernikova, O., Heitzmann, N., Stadler, M., Holzberger, D., Seidel, T., & Fischer, F. (2020). Simulation-based learning in higher education: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 90(4), 499-541. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320933544

Kasperski, R., & Crispel, O. (2021). Preservice teachers’ perspectives on the contribution of simulation-based learning to the development of communication skills. Journal of Education for Teaching, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2021.2002121

McGarr, O. (2020). The use of virtual simulations in teacher education to develop pre-service teachers’ behaviour and classroom management skills: Implications for reflective practice. Journal of Education for Teaching46(2), 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2020.1733398

Dr. Heidi Flavian
Dr. Orna Levin
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • simulation-based learning
  • teacher education
  • educational systems

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 628 KiB  
Article
Simulation-Based Learning as a Tool for Assessing and Fostering Awareness of Empathic Patterns in Teacher Education
by Michal Levi-Keren, Gabriella Landler-Pardo, Yehudith Weinberger and Rinat Arviv Elyashiv
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121338 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 555
Abstract
Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) in education has demonstrated significant potential in preparing participants to effectively address future challenges in a dynamic and ever-changing world. Empathy, as a multidimensional skill, is fundamental to successfully navigate these complex situations. This study aims to assess the effectiveness [...] Read more.
Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) in education has demonstrated significant potential in preparing participants to effectively address future challenges in a dynamic and ever-changing world. Empathy, as a multidimensional skill, is fundamental to successfully navigate these complex situations. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of SBL in enhancing student teachers’ awareness and understanding of empathy’s multifaceted nature. Using a quasi-experimental design, 232 students participated in courses that integrated empathy instruction with simulation workshop experiences. The students used a rubric based on the Empathetic Patterns in Interpersonal Communication (EPIC) model, developed and validated by the authors in prior studies, to identify empathic patterns in two videotaped simulations shown to them at the beginning and end of the course. The same task was completed by seven content experts in empathy and psychology, as well as six experienced simulation workshop instructors serving as clinical experts. Additionally, the students responded to open-ended questions suggesting various expressions of empathy. The results indicated that SBL workshops, when integrated into a teaching framework that addresses empathy and analyzed through a structured rubric, can serve as an effective platform for enhancing students’ ability to identify and understand empathic patterns. Full article
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18 pages, 1330 KiB  
Article
The Role of Simulation in Exposing Hidden Gender Biases: A Study of Motivational Discourse in Mathematics Education
by Dafna Zuckerman, Yaacov B. Yablon and Shira Iluz
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111265 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 438
Abstract
This study investigated the value of simulation workshops designed to enhance motivational discourse between mathematics teachers and struggling students who have difficulty keeping up with the curriculum, especially in advanced mathematics. Grounded in the self-determination theory, we examined teachers’ motivational discourse by having [...] Read more.
This study investigated the value of simulation workshops designed to enhance motivational discourse between mathematics teachers and struggling students who have difficulty keeping up with the curriculum, especially in advanced mathematics. Grounded in the self-determination theory, we examined teachers’ motivational discourse by having them participate in simulated individual dialogues with students, with a focus on the differences in the motivational discourse with male and female students. Twenty-nine middle school mathematics teachers (89.6% female; mean experience = 9.4 years, SD = 8.7) participated in the online simulations, each of which presented a scenario where an actor portrayed a struggling student contemplating dropping out of math class. Based on the observational measures of motivational discourse, the findings reveal significant gender disparities in that teachers tended to provide more support and autonomy to male students. Moreover, they tend to direct more frequent and intense autonomy-suppressing behaviors toward female students. The results highlight the efficacy of simulation-based workshops in uncovering teachers’ hidden behavioral patterns. It also highlights the importance of simulation-based learning to tailor professional development issues and for addressing unconscious gender biases in mathematics education. Full article
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23 pages, 1228 KiB  
Article
The Integration of Mixed Reality Simulation into Reading Literacy Modules
by Carisma Nel, Lisa Dieker and Elma Marais
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101128 - 17 Oct 2024
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Abstract
The reading literacy crisis, among learners, in countries throughout the world and in South Africa seems to be reaching pandemic levels. Hence, the quality of teaching and the preparation that pre-service teachers receive at initial teacher education institutions is under the spotlight. A [...] Read more.
The reading literacy crisis, among learners, in countries throughout the world and in South Africa seems to be reaching pandemic levels. Hence, the quality of teaching and the preparation that pre-service teachers receive at initial teacher education institutions is under the spotlight. A proactive action research design is used to integrate mixed reality simulation into reading literacy modules. Our data collection methods included professional conversations, WhatsApp voice notes and video calls, reflective journal entries and reflections on observing video recordings of lesson segments in the MRS environment. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The main themes emanating from the data included: lack of focus on high leverage teaching practices, limited use of pedagogies of enactment, add-on to existing content, experimentation, perceptions, planning and preparation, content-method integration, pedagogies of enactment, assessment, resources and feedback. Grounded in a Community of Practice framework, we narrate our experiences of re-imagining mixed reality simulation as a core component of initial teacher education programs. The authors conclude by sharing insights and recommendations for policymakers, faculty leaders, and curriculum designers, contributing to informed decisions regarding integrating and potentially upscaling mixed reality simulation within reading literacy modules in initial teacher education programs. Full article
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