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Virtual School, Real Experience

Simulations replicate the world of practice for aspiring principals

By Learning Forward
December 2013
A web-enabled computer simulation program developed by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a virtual twist on professional learning for aspiring principals. Project ALL (Authentic Learning for Leaders) drops prospective administrators into the work of leading a virtual middle school over an academic year and then tracks their performance through hundreds of authentic tasks. Participants work through a year in the life of a school principal and see more than 400 video encounters, emails, memos, voice mails, text messages, and other story elements that replicate the work of leading a middle school. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Charol Shakeshaft, professor of education leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dale Mann, managing director of Interactive Inc., began in 2008 to develop, test, and

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Authors

Dale Mann and Charol Shakeshaft

Dale Mann (dmann@interactiveinc.org) is managing director of Interactive Inc., professor emeritus at Columbia University, and an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Charol Shakeshaft (cshakeshaft@vcu.edu) is a professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Educational Leadership.

Watch the Demo

For a demonstration of Project ALL’s Charles Thompson Jones Middle School simulation, see www.projectall.vcu. edu.

References

Shakeshaft, C., Becker, J., Mann, D., Reardon, M., & Robinson, K. (2013). Toward fidelity: Simulation-based learning for school principal preparation and professional development. Planning and Changing, 44(1/2).

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Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.

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