International student perspectives on simulated preservice induction

Responding to an expanding cohort of international pre-service student teachers, the College of Education at Charles Darwin University instigated a pilot study into the viability of SimLab^TM as a platform for induction into Australian classroom dynamics prior to placement. SimLab is a mixed reality platform that can be configured to simulate a variety of real-life experiences that preservice teachers on placement will likely encounter. In recent years, it has been used successfully by several Australian universities as an embedded component within initial teacher education courses. A series of 15-minute sessions were provided to three cohorts of international students (n=52). Based on a simple 5E pedagogical model that prioritizes engagement as a foundation for all teaching, students were tasked with getting to know their students and to deliver at least one micro-teaching session. Additionally, they were provided with opportunities to have conversations with the school principal and their assigned mentor teacher. Initial findings suggest a favourable overall evaluation. The College is now extending this research by providing this opportunity to all incoming preservice teachers.