Development of a novel Immersive Virtual Reality Classroom for student teachers to practice their Microteaching Skills

Microteaching is a well-studied and practised area of teacher training. This paper addresses an under-explored area in an Irish context by detailing the development and implementation of a purpose-built Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) classroom designed as a platform to allow trainee teachers to practice and develop their microteaching skills. IVR has the potential to enhance immersion, increase motivation and engagement, and possibly improve learning outcomes. Through repetition, student teachers are given the opportunity to practice and learn how to teach in a safe virtual environment. The skills practised in the virtual classroom may translate to real-world teaching environments. The paper presents the development through co-design 
of MiTeachVR an IVR prototype with the potential to form a new paradigm in teacher training as an additional safe method that will allow student teachers to learn through repeated practice and self-reflection in a purpose-built virtual classroom.