Deepak Basyal, Brigitte Stenhouse
Tikaram and Chandrakala Dhananjaya: A collaborative couple in mathematics from Nepal
Endeavour
educator preparation programs experienced extreme challenges covid19 pandemic many universities k12 schools moved fully online hybrid instructional models abrupt changes significantly limited preservice teachers opportunities engage classroombased practice teaching experiences bedrock educator preparation programs support preservice teachers learning teach effectively study examined usability viability integrating simulated teaching experiences occur online virtual classroom environment consisting five student avatars elementary science method courses covid19 pandemic prepare preservice science teachers engage one critical science teaching practice facilitating discussions engage students scientific argumentation study uses qualitative content analysis survey data focus group interview identify patterns themes four elementary science teacher educators 49 preservice teachers perceived use tool within elementary science teacher education particularly opportunities challenges tool afforded pandemic possibilities use postcovid era study findings suggest elementary science teacher educators preservice teachers perceived simulated teaching experience valuable supporting teacher learning addressing covidrelated challenges tackling perennial challenges science teacher education also noted challenges related implementation concerns future access discussion key factors may support hinder use tools within elementary science teacher education implications leveraging lessons learned postcovid included