Beyond the Textbook: Practice the Moments that Matter in Schools

Описание: Simulations for Leadership Learning
Ken introduces the webinar, emphasizing the importance of practice in leadership and the role of simulations in providing safe, engaging opportunities for learning. He highlighted the need for scalable, flexible, and integrated learning experiences that combine instruction and experience.

Dr. Jennifer Watters and Kirby Holland discuss their work at UT Tyler, focusing on simulations and their impact on student learning and self-efficacy. Kirby, a student in the Principal Pipeline program at Tyler ISD, shares her experience with simulations and their relevance to real-world leadership challenges.

Simulations in Educational Leadership Preparation
The meeting focuses on the importance of simulations in educational leadership programs, particularly in preparing aspiring school leaders for real-world challenges. Dr. Watters, a professor at UT Tyler, discusses cognitive load and its impact on learners. Kirby, a student in Dr. Waters' class, shared her positive experience with simulations, highlighting how they provided emotional and practical insights that traditional learning methods might not offer. The discussion also touched on the high attrition rates among school leaders and the importance of providing meaningful professional learning opportunities to retain them in the field.

School Sims: Effective Teaching Tool
Jennifer and Kirby share their experiences using School Sims in their teaching, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing student learning and self-efficacy. They discuss their research findings, which show positive growth in students' management, instruction, and moral leadership skills, as well as optimal cognitive load levels.

Ken demonstrates a simulation exercise, emphasizing its ability to engage participants emotionally and provide a realistic context for decision-making. The session concludes with a discussion about expanding the use of School Sims to include school boards and other educational settings.