Preservice teachers’ views of two types of technologies which provided realistic environments in which to practice microteaching are described: (1) TLE TeachLivE™ Lab, a virtual reality environment that employs avatars as students in a virtual classroom, and (2) web conferencing technology to synchronously teach students in remotely located classrooms. Preservice teachers opined that each technology offers a relatively realistic environment that allows them to interact with virtual and real students. Microteaching through these technologies increases their self-confidence and provided a safe, non-threatening environment for them to reflect on their practice. We concluded these emerging technologies can provide viable alternatives to bringing classroom realism for preservice teachers to practice their teaching skills.
Dixon, Raymond A.; Hall, Cassidy; and Shawon, Farjahan
"Using Virtual Reality and Web Conferencing Technologies: Exploring Alternatives for Microteaching in a Rural Region,"
Northwest Journal of Teacher Education: Vol. 14
, Article 4.
Available at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/nwjte/vol14/iss1/4