Virtual Reality Supplements Principal Internships

23 Jun 2021     By Shavonna Holman, Ed. D.

Future principals enrolled in Dr. Shavonna Holman’s internship course gained experience utilizing a new resource - virtual reality through a grant co-written by Dr. Holman and Department Chairperson Nick Pace. Students were immersed in interactive virtual reality simulations to prepare for the challenges of today’s educational settings and empower them with competencies to work towards practical solutions. Simulations ranged from working with teachers, upset parents, student behaviors and a plethora of others common to school leaderships. The simulations provide students real-time practice with varying intensities, allowing students to pause and get assistance from classmates and Dr. Holman to help navigate before continuing. “The Mursion Virtual Reality platform was such a success! It gave our future leaders one more tool to practice their skills in a supportive environment and we’re excited to make it a regular part of the course moving forward,” Holman noted.

Shavonna Holman, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of practice and P-12 school leadership and M. Ed. Program coordinator. Her outreach includes involvement with AdvancED, collaborative research efforts with the Nebraska Department of Education Title I Office and Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, as well as serving as President of the Board of Education for the Omaha Public Schools. Follow her on Twitter @DrShavonna.