Simulations are a powerful tool for leadership pipeline development and teacher development that are Engaging, Authentic, Realistic, Interactive, and can be used in a Synchronous or Asynchronous manner (both in-person or virtual).
The video you see is an example of a video from our Disruptive Teacher Simulation. In this simulation, you are a school leader and you are receiving complaints regarding a teacher’s behavior. You decide to attend a meeting with the subject’s collaborative teaching team. You discover there is one teacher on the team who is “not a team player”. What approach will you take?
Simulations are a series of linked scenarios, in a choose-your-own-adventure format, that capture the challenges of school-based leadership problems of practice that sitting and aspiring leaders can experience in a safe manner so they can fail forward.
The Simulations offer a collaborative opportunity for leaders to:
- Exercise judgment and improve decision making
- Experience consequences and build resilience
- Get feedback for reflection and learning
- Engage in peer-to-peer discussion
Simulations help to increase leadership capacity, reduce isolation, and improve student achievement in their buildings. In addition, Simulations can:
Manufacture Experience
Simulations provide an opportunity to practice critical thinking in a safe space. Participants face high-stakes situations and cope with the consequences of their decisions without real-life implications. This experience builds confidence and improves judgment.
Essentially Accelerate Time
Simulations enable participants to gain experience dealing with authentic challenges before actual situations occur. By playing simulations multiple times, learners can try different routes and realize the consequences of each choice so they can draw on that knowledge when faced with similar issues in real-life.
Improve Retention and Build Principal Pipelines
Learning by doing has proven to be the most effective form of training. Participants practice decision making and are given real-time feedback to understand what went wrong and how they can improve. Having the opportunity to safely learn from mistakes improves engagement and knowledge retention.
Promote Peer-to-Peer Learning
Simulations provide opportunities for discourse among participants – during and after each simulation. These conversations compel learners to understand not just the “how” but also the “why” and often reveal biases and uncover areas of improvement.