Jonathan D. Becker

Immersive, Interactive, Web-Enabled Computer Simulation as a Trigger for Learning: The next Generation of Problem-Based Learning in Educational Leadership

This paper describes the use of advanced computer technology in an innovative educational leadership program. This program integrates full-motion video scenarios that simulate the leadership challenges typically faced by principals over the course of a full school year. These scenarios require decisions that are then coupled to consequences and scored in the background to create a profile of learner strengths and needs. Because the content has been filmed in an operating school and because of the unique choice-consequence sequences, the immersive and interactive simulation triggers more potent learning than is possible with either previous paper-and-pencil or discussion-based techniques. The scenarios are embedded in a Web-enabled framework that facilitates the provision of individualized feedback tailored to the specific choices made by the learner, and supports the collection of multiple metrics that relate to the performance of the learner and the learning framework itself. Project Authentic Learning for Leaders (ALL) demonstrates the future of teaching and learning in either hybrid (face-to-face instruction plus digital teaching and learning) or in individual anywhere, anytime learning.

The Digital Horserace: An Analysis of Differences in Student Computer Use across the States and across the Years.

Using the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Data Explorer, this analysis documents differences in student computer use across the states and across the years. A few noticeable trends emerged. First, there was a significant increase in the frequency of computer use, particularly for math, between 1998 and 2003. Second, elementary school students in the states of West Virginia, Georgia, and Mississippi continually exceed the national average with respect to reported daily (or almost daily) computer use. Finally, there is a regional aspect to student computer use in schools. Spurred by West Virginia and Florida initially, states in the southeastern quadrant of the country have experienced policy diffusion and have engaged in what can best be described as a digital horserace.

Engagement in an Online Video Simulation in Educational Leadership

Against the backdrop of digital gaming, this chapter presents a cutting-edge, immersive, online video simulation of events that follow the calendar of a year in a chronically low-performing middle school in the United States. The traditional approach to preparing educational leaders has been harshly criticized by those who have, at times, shared in sustaining the traditional approach. The time is right for innovation. The intention of this simulation is to engage potential educational leaders in the professional development of their leadership skills. These skills are designated in a range of standards-based documents generated by the individual states in the United States, as well as at the national level by the Educational Leadership Policy Standards: 2008 document issued by the Council of Chief State School Officers. A highly sophisticated back-end to this simulation gathers evidence of both engagement and learning. The online format empowers anytime/anywhere learning in a mistake-tolerant educational setting at minimal incremental cost.