The document proposes incorporating the TeachLivE simulation technology into the Higher Education Administration (HEA) curriculum and practice at Buffalo State. TeachLivE allows students to practice skills like counseling, advising and classroom management with virtual students in a low-risk environment. It also facilitates reflection. The document outlines how TeachLivE aligns with HEA's learning outcomes and could be applied in courses. It proposes a pilot program to assess student experience and learning to determine how best to integrate TeachLivE into the curriculum.

1. Incorporating Simulation
Technology into HEA Curriculum
& Practice
By Bekah Bretl, Chetta Myers, Challis Cooks, & Chelsea Montrois

2. HEA Mission Statement
The Higher Education Administration Department (HEA) and the
Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA)
program at Buffalo State is committed to promoting access and to
preparing exceptional scholars and practitioners with knowledge,
skills, competencies and an ethic of care needed for sound
professional practice in the twenty-first century.

3. HEA Learning and Professional Outcomes
1. Social Justice and Inclusion
2. Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
3. Leadership and Administration
4. Integrative Learning
5. Personal and Ethical Foundations
6. Values, Philosophy, and History
7. Student Development and Learning
8. Advising and Supporting
9. Technology

4. Introducing… TeachLivE Simulation Technology!

5. About TeachLivE
● Different from artificial intelligence
○ Avatars’ behavior and words are controlled by people in real time
● Customizable scenarios
○ Faculty arranges sessions ahead of time.
○ Informs controller of preferred teaching content, student
behavior, and specific classroom occurrences that shape the
session based on the learning objectives for the teaching student.

6. TeachLivE Adult Avatar

7. 2014 National TeachLivE Research Project
● At 10 sites across the nation, 157 middle school mathematics teachers received four
levels of innovative professional development, including computer simulation,
synchronous online instruction, and lesson resources based on the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS).
● Teachers were observed in the TeachLivE classroom simulator and in their regular
classrooms to determine the effects of treatment.
“Teachers who took part in a series of sessions in TeachLivE increased their instances of
teaching practices in the simulator, similar to studies conducted earlier (e.g., Dawson &
Lignugaris/Kraft, 2103; Elford et al., 2013; Vince Garland et al.; 2012).”

8. TeachLivE Implementation at California State University
● “First and foremost, we appreciate the fact that the TeachLivE experience allows our
candidates opportunities to not only practice new skills, but to get immediate feedback
and try again. This kind of immediate reflection and practice is not easy in a real
classroom, and by “taking a redo” candidates can instantly see the effects of changes in
their teaching practices.”
● “In addition, we feel the experience of watching their peers, who are at the same
developmental level, practice the same skills with the same class of students, is
invaluable. During the debrief at the end of every session the candidates report on what
they’ve learned from watching their peers; the insights and confidence they gain from
watching the strengths and challenges of their peers is a unique component that is only
available through TeachLivE.”

9. HEA 694 tests TeachLivE
● Students experimented facilitating college information sessions with high school students
Challis discusses “making the most out of your
college experience” with the students.
Bekah answers questions concerns about
financial aid and admissions.

10. TeachLivE at SUNY College at Buffalo
● Currently in use by the School of Education
● TeachLivE lab located in Ketchum Hall
● TeachLivE unit is portable and can be used in any classroom.
● TeachLivE hourly fees paid for through student technology fee
● Grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and SUNY
Innovative Instruction Technology Grant help to offset associated
costs
● Lab is underutilized at Buffalo State

11. Benefits of TeachLivE to Education Students
● Increased comfort in the classroom setting
● Low risk environment for experimentation
● Opportunity for practice and reflection
● Ability to critically review teaching sessions through analytic reports
● Hands-on group behavioral management experience
● Retain learners who had a difficult first experience in the classroom

12. Applying TeachLivE to the HEA Curriculum
● Counseling
● Student Development
● Mock Interviews and Professional Development
● Assessment/Focus Interview Groups
● Conflict Resolution Simulation
● Supervision Scenarios

13. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory
Concrete Experience
(doing/having an experience)
Reflective Observation
(reviewing/reflecting on the experience)
Active Experimentation
(planning/trying out what you have
learned)
Abstract
Conceptualization
(concluding/learning from the experience)

14. Benefits for HEA Department
Market and promote as the only Student Affairs program in the country using TeachLivE

15. Benefits for HEA Department
● Opportunity for faculty to observe graduate student development in
practice
● Measurable learning outcomes through pre- and post-session reports.
● Produce a more prepared population of alumni
● Student success in the field
● Opportunity to participate in research and conference presentations on
technology in higher education
● Engage with alumni by offering access to mock interview sessions

16. Perceived Challenges
● Limitations of avatars
● Faculty adoption
● Support and training
● Hefty front loading and planning
● Challenges with computer technology
● Only one student can use it per room at a time
● Session costs

17. HEA Learning and Professional Outcomes
1. Social Justice and Inclusion
2. Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
3. Leadership and Administration
4. Integrative Learning
5. Personal and Ethical Foundations
6. Values, Philosophy, and History
7. Student Development and Learning
8. Advising and Supporting
9. Technology

18. Proposal
● HEA to introduce a pilot program for TeachLivE
● Implement this technology into one course during the coming
semester
● Pre and post surveys on students’ experience and learning
outcomes
● Utilize TeachLivE’s analytics to assess student improvement over
the semester
● Determine impact and success and potentially integrate into other
course curricula