We'll post key updates in our programs, policy changes, funding opportunities, and other news of interest in this space each fall, spring, and summer term.
Fall 2021
Avatar-Based Training Tool Rolled Out at SOE
The School of Education made an exciting investment in our future, and the future of teacher training this year—bringing Mixed Reality Simulation (MRS) into our educational programing. Mixed Reality Simulation (MRS) is a technology that enables authentic rehearsal for teachers, educational professionals, and instructional leaders by immersing them in virtual classroom environments using life-like avatars of students, principals, parents, and other teachers. The technology has been widely shown to improve pedagogical proficiencies through structured simulated practice (Dawson & Lignugaris/Kraft, 2016; Dieker, Hughes, Hynes, & Straub, 2017; Kaufman & Ireland 2016; Straub, Dieker, Hynes, & Hughes, 2014). It was also found to increase teacher self-efficacy during the preparation of pre-service teachers of science (Gundal, Piro, Straub & Smith, 2019; Gundal & Piro, 2021) and improve early-education majors’ self-efficacy beliefs for teaching science (Bautista & Boone, 2015).
The Mixed Reality Simulation most widely used in teacher preparation and now used here in the SOE is the technology originally designed as TeachLivE™. It utilizes Human-in-the-loop (HITL) avatar-based simulated environments—meaning those participating in the MRS interact with computer-based, human-controlled avatars acting as students or other education stakeholders. In 2015, Mursion®, a California-based company, acquired the rights to TeachLivE™ Here in the SOE, we are purchasing the technology from a Mursion licensed vending center out of California State University, Northridge: SIMPACT.
Despite the technology’s promise, MRS can be found in less than 4% of teacher preparation programs in the United States— just 52 of an estimated 1,200 programs. The technology is most often used to develop students’ classroom management skills, grow their proficiencies with High Leverage Practices, and improve their effective communication during high-stakes meetings such as Parent-Teacher Conferences and IEP Meetings (Ireland, 2021). The SOE has been running a small yet successful pilot program since 2017. This school year, we are excited to announce that the technology will be experienced by school psychology and counseling students in the Department of Specialized Programs, teaching candidates in the Department of Teaching and Learning, and emerging educational leaders in the Department of Leadership and Administration. As an early adopter of this powerful technology, we in the SOE are looking forward to better preparing our students so they are ready to teach, lead, and serve students on day one. For more information about this exciting new opportunity, please contact Ashley Ireland the program’s lead.
New Teacher Credential Requirements Will Save Our Students Time and Money
Assembly Bill (AB) 130, signed into law in July 2021, expanded the ways in which teacher credential candidates can meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) and Subject Matter Competence Requirement (SMCR). For both requirements, candidates can now combine the various assessments and can use undergraduate coursework to meet them.
There are two new options teacher candidates can use to meet the SMCR: an approved major or approved coursework. Currently, only the first option, an approved major, can be used. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has stated their intention to pass emergency regulations in the coming months to make the second option available.
The passage of AB 130 is very exciting news for LMU undergraduate students, in two significant ways:
- BSR – Students who obtain their bachelor’s degree from LMU automatically meet the BSR as part of the University’s Core Curriculum. This represents a savings of cost and time, as LMU undergraduates who enter one of our teacher preparation programs no longer need to take any exams to meet the BSR.
- SMCR – Currently, to use the approved major option for the SMCR, a student’s major must exactly match the credential subject area. Of the 11 general education teaching credential programs that SOE offers, there are 14 LMU majors that meet the SMCR. An additional two majors can be used to meet the SMCR for SOE’s special education credential program. Similar to the BSR, this shift saves students time and money, as testing for this requirement can cost $300 or more.
Students who have questions about the new options should reach out to SOE Advisor, Dr. Michael Cersosimo. SOE’s Credential Office invites anyone else who has questions about these new options to contact Joy Pirsaheli and Stephanie Serventi.