What is Simulated Instruction in Mathematics Professional Development (SIM PD)?
Participation in SIM PD provides opportunities for Grades 4 and 5 math teachers to:
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Learn questioning and discussion facilitation strategies that promote student engagement and understanding of math concepts
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Collaboratively practice the strategies with fellow teachers using a simulated virtual classroom where avatar students respond to teacher actions in real time
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Receive support from a district or school coach trained by AIR to lead the SIM PD activities
Why SIM PD?
Focuses on Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies
Teachers learn how to pose purposeful questions and
facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse. These strategies show promise for improving teachers' instructional practices.
Allows Teachers to Practice
Teachers try out an instructional strategy, stop, reflect, and try again with the student avatars before implementing the strategy with their students.
Promotes Collaboration
Teachers practice teaching strategies in groups, supporting and providing feedback to each other.
Builds Capacity
District and school coaches learn to facilitate SIM PD and support teachers in improving their instruction.
Provides Data
AIR will provide customized
presentations of findings for schools and districts that participate
It's Free!
SIM PD is being offered to schools at no cost. Teachers and coaches will be compensated for their time.
Does it work?
Prior research shows that SIM PD has positive impacts on teachers and students!
Improves teacher instruction
Teachers had significantly higher scores on their ability to ask students to explain/justify, ask questions, lead discourse, and translate representations
Improves student actions
Students had significantly higher scores on their ability to grapple, depth of explanation, ability to talk, and ability to translate
Is feasible to implement
Teachers were able to complete the PD and teachers said that the program was useful