Purposeful Practice with Mixed Reality Simulations

Mixed Reality Simulations (MRS) are a cross between the real and virtual worlds that include real people and environments as well as virtual people and environments (Peterson-Ahmad, 2018). Studies include using MRS in training for medical procedures (Cook, Hamstra, Brydges, Zendejas, Szostek, Wang, A. T., ... Hatala, 2013), guiding autonomous vehicles (Selecky, Faigl, & Rollo, 2018), flight training (Covelli, Rolland, Proctor, Kincaid, & Hancock, 2010), and instructing teachers (Dieker, Hynes, Hughes, & Straub, 2014). Mursion, formerly TeachLivE, is a form of MRS used in the instruction of pre-service teachers to support students with disabilities (Calandra & Puvirajah, 2014; Kauffman & Ireland, 2016). This process creates an authentic experiential learning experience (Heinrich, Habron, Johnson & Goralnik, 2015), thus helping to build a solid foundation before the teacher enters the classroom. Current studies incorporate the use of Evidence Based Practices (EBP) in their peer mentor training (Banda, Hart, & Lui-Gitz, 2010; Chung, Reavis, & Mosconi, 2007; Krebs, McDaniel, & Neeley, 2010). However, Strasberger and Ferreri (2014) note that future research should look at providing more comprehensive and explicit mentor training. MRS, in the form of Mursion, can offer the opportunity to provide peer mentors with the purposeful practice necessary to support them when working with students with disabilities