"I Thought I was Ready": Reflections of Pre-Service Teachers after simSchool
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of simulation software on improving pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy towards teaching and their teaching skills. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following research question: Do pre-service teachers feel better prepared for teaching after working in the simSchool simulation? Participants were volunteers from three teacher preparation courses: Classroom Management, Reading Assessment, and Academics, Creativity, & Play. Students completed a class assignment, in which they “managed” a class of virtual students through the internet program, simSchool. Participants also completed a pre- and post-survey. Volunteer participants were also interviewed at the end of the semester. Data continue to be collected. Results of the entire study will be presented at the conference. All findings will be analyzed by semester, as well as compiled as a whole.