"Thinking as someone else" - Using Avatars in teacher education and the challenge to think and act as someone else.

Authors

  • Helge Wasmuth Mercy College

Keywords:

Avatar, experiential learning, innovative teaching methods, teacher education, alternative teacher education project

Abstract

This article discusses an alternative learning project that has been conducted in an online course at a teacher education program from Fall 2012 to Fall 2015. As part of the course, students have to create avatars and think and act as their avatars when faced with educational issues. The project strives to overcome challenges that teacher education programs have to take into account when preparing students to become teachers. A qualitative research study has been conducted in order to find out more about the studentsΓÇÖ thinking and learning in this innovative approach of the online class. Results of the study and the implications for the project will be discussed.

Author Biography

Helge Wasmuth, Mercy College


Assistant Professor

Mercy College

Department of Childhood and Early Childhood Education
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

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Published

2016-11-15