This article examines the use of simSchool as a training tool for educators working with students with special needs in rural districts. SimSchool is a game that emulates a classroom utilizing a virtual environment. The theory supporting simSchool is explored and current research associated with simSchool is reviewed. The issues surrounding retaining quality special educators in rural districts are discussed. The potential for using simSchool for working with rural special education teachers is explored.
BacklundP., EngstromH., JohannessonM., & LebramM. (2010). Games for traffic education: An experimental study of a game-based driving simulator. Simulation & Gaming,41 (2), 145.
2.
BarnetB., & Hirsch (2005). Recruiting and retaining teachers for hard-to-staff schools. Issue Brief, NGA Center for Best Practices, Washington, DC.
3.
BillingsleyB., CarlsonE., & KleinS. (2004). The working conditions and induction support of early career special educators. Exceptional Children,70(3), 333–347.
4.
BushL., & HallJ. (2013). Rethinking pre-service teacher training: Lessons learned with simSchool. In McBrideR. & SearsonM. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2013 (pp. 2550-2553). Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
5.
EricksonA. S., NoonanP. M., & McCallZ. (2012). Effectiveness of online professional development for rural special educators. Rural Special Education Quarterly,31 (1), 22-32.
FowlerS. M., & PuschM. D. (2010). Intercultural simulation games: A review (of the United States and beyond). Simulation & Gaming,41(1), 94-115.
8.
GehrkeR. S., & McCoyK. (2007). Considering the context: Differences between the environments of beginning special educators who stay and those who leave. Rural Special Education Quarterly,26(3), 32-40.
9.
HopperS., KnezekG., & ChristensenR. (2013). Assessing alignment of pedagogical experience and confidence in a simulated classroom environment. In McBrideR. & SearsonM. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2013 (pp. 2870-2876). Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
10.
JohnsonE. S., HumphreyM. J., & AllredK. W. (2009). Addressing the shortage of rural special educators through technology and collaboration. Rural Special Education Quarterly,28(2), 17-21.
11.
KieslerD. (1983). The 1982 interpersonal circle: A taxonomy for complementarity in human transactions. Psychological Review,90(3), 185-214.
12.
Lowe, (2006). Rural education: Attracting and retaining teachers in small schools. The Rural Educator,27(2), 28-32.
13.
McPhersonR., Tyler-WoodT., McEnturffEllison, A. & PeakP. (2011). Using a computerized classroom simulation to prepare pre-service teachers. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education,19(1), 93-110.
14.
PeakP., McPhersonR., BarrioB., KnezekG., EllisonA., & ChristensenR. (2009). Perceptions of special education pre-service and in-service teachers. In GibsonI. et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for 2009 (pp. 3976-3981). Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
15.
ReckienD., & EisenackK. (2010). Urban sprawl: Using a game to sensitize stakeholders to the interdependencies among actors' preferences. Simulation & Gaming,41(2), 260–277.
16.
Rural policy matters: A newsletter of rural school and community action. (2001). 3(1-11). Washington, DC: Rural School and Community Trust.
17.
SmithR. (2010). The long history of gaming in military training. Simulation & Gaming,41(1), 6-19.
18.
WilliamsJ. M., MartinS. M., & HessR. K. (2010). Personnel preparation and service delivery issues in rural areas: The state of the art. Rural Special Education Quarterly,29(4), 31-39.
19.
ZydaM. (2005). From visual simulation to virtual reality to games. Computer,38(9), 25-32.
