Authentic and engaging virtual practice teaching for rural and remote pre-service teachers

Abstract

Imagine being able practise your teaching techniques when enrolled in a teaching degree without the use of a 'live' classroom. It is a common phenomenon for off-campus (online) pre-service teachers living in rural and remote regions to not have access of schools to practise their teaching skills. Discussed in this article is a solution to this ever-increasing problem of finding a classroom of students where pre-service teachers can engage in their teaching to practise ideas and techniques in an authentic teaching environment. They practise from their own home, through a virtual school created in Second Life, complete with teacher and student avatars and role-play scenarios.