Improving Aspiring Teachers' Confidence in Their Ability to Conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences through the Use of Artificial Environments

Overall teacher effectiveness is connected to the teacher's sense of confidence in their personal ability to be effective. An important part of teacher effectiveness is communication and collaboration with parents, and family members of their students. Research has demonstrated the positive impact strong relationships between families and school have on both parties. However, even the most comprehensive teacher preparation programs are limited to the amount of practice they can provide aspiring teachers because parent-teacher conferences are confidential meetings. The key to providing aspiring teachers an opportunity to practice this skill and grow in their confidence and sense of efficacy is through the use of acritical environments and simulations. Providing teacher candidates with artificial environments to practice simulated parent-teacher conferences improves overall teacher candidate's sense of confidence in their ability to conduct these meetings effectively. The use of artificial environments has the potential to have a positive impact on various parts of teacher preparation programs.