Visit to the UC Simulation Center opens opportunities to enrich the preparation of future teachers

The Interfaculty Pedagogies team visited the UC School of Health Sciences Simulation Center to learn how these methodologies can enhance the training of future teachers.

On Tuesday, July 29, the team of Interfaculty Pedagogies, along with members of its five programs and the Student Development Sub-directorate of the Faculty of Education, visited the Simulation Center of the UC School of Health Sciences to learn about its uses, possibilities and methodologies applied to teaching.

The activity was guided by Ignacio Villagrán, researcher and director of the school's undergraduate program, who explained how these simulation experiences contribute to students' learning and professional development.

During the visit, attendees learned about the center's various environments and learned details about how practical exercises are conducted there. These exercises may include the use of actors and are monitored at all times by a camera system that allows students' performance in the various simulated situations to be evaluated.

Ainoa Marzabal, director of Interfaculty Pedagogies, highlighted the value of these opportunities to enrich teacher training and foster learning experiences that are more realistic.

"The visit allowed us to see the potential that simulated environments have for offering a progressive and safe approach to professional teaching practice, and also for fostering collaborations between education and healthcare professionals, anticipating the collaborative work that many of our future graduates will pursue in their professional lives," he said.

This type of exchange with other areas of our institution is extremely valuable, as it broadens the perspective on the use of innovative resources applied to diverse contexts. In the case of pedagogies, the incorporation of simulations could strengthen key competencies by recreating complex scenarios, such as parent-teacher conferences, classroom crisis resolution, and handling unforeseen events, among many other options.