Use of Rich Internet Applications to develop an online classroom-based simulation

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) provide a range of powerful tools that allow: easier access, updating capability, scheduling of tasks, and flexible learning environments. This paper reports on the design of an online simulation developed to enhance the pre-service teacher practicum experience in the important area of literacy teaching at one university. The simulation was designed to store data about current user sessions in PHP's 'temporary' session management system. Data is also stored separately in persistent data files to allow a user to resume a session later. Our research with more than 200 users showed that the simulation gave pre-service teachers the opportunity to slow down or accelerate classroom events, revisit and reflect critical decision points and replay events in the light of new understandings. Pre-service teachers reported that their experience with the simulation helped to make their practicum experience more focused by giving them the knowledge and experience to more fully appreciate the impact of subtle changes that experienced teachers made during lessons.