Minneapolis, MN
August 23, 2022
June 26, 2022
June 29, 2022
29
10.18260/1-2--41003
https://peer.asee.org/41003
509
Pamela S. Lottero-Perdue, Ph.D., is Professor of Science and Engineering Education in the Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences at Towson University. She has integrated engineering into courses for PreK-8 teacher candidates, developed and directed a graduate STEM program for PreK-6 teachers, and partnered with teachers to implement PreK-8 science-integrated engineering learning experiences. She has authored numerous engineering-focused teacher practitioner articles, chapters, and research articles, and presents her research regularly through the ASEE Pre-College Engineering Education Division, a division she has chaired. Her current research includes investigating how K-5 students plan, fail, and productively persist, and how simulated classroom environments can be used to help pre-service and in-service teachers practice facilitating discussions in science and engineering.
In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of a suite of three simulated engineering teaching experiences (SETEs). These SETEs were simulated in that they involved preservice teachers (PSTs) facilitating discussions with one or more student avatars in the Mursion® simulated classroom environment. The student avatars are played by a highly trained human-in-the-loop, called a simulation specialist, who voices and moves the avatars. The SETE experiences were designed to give PSTs practice with common student challenges in engineering design, most especially overcoming idea fixation and engaging in diagnostic troubleshooting. Each SETE experience increased in complexity, with SETE 1 involving a discussion with one student, SETE 2 involving a discussion with a team of three student avatars, and SETE 3 involving a discussion with five students working in three teams (one student worked alone). Participants were six PSTs majoring in middle school education who engaged in each SETE as part of their engineering methods course. We share preliminary findings about (1) the range of teaching moves the PSTs employed in SETE 1 and 2, and (2) how helpful the PSTs perceived the earlier SETEs to be when preparing for SETE 3. Findings indicated that PSTs used a variety of moves, some of which likely supported and some of which may have hindered student sensemaking, agency, and opportunity to become more informed designers. Most PSTs also suggested that SETE 1 and SETE 2 were helpful in preparing for SETE 3.
Lottero-Perdue, P., & Mikeska, J. (2022, August), Simulated Engineering Teaching Experiences: Preservice Teachers Learning to Facilitate Discussions to Help Students Become Informed Designers (RTP) Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41003
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