Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

New Book Edited by School of Education Faculty Explores Live-Actor Simulations as Effective Training for Real-World Educational Challenges

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, By Martin Walls
Share
Center on Disability and InclusionCUSE grantsfacultySchool of Education
headshots of Kelly Chandler-Olcott and Ben Dotger

Kelly Chandler-Olcott (left) and Ben Dotger

The School of Education is a pioneer and international leader in the use of experiential, immersive methods of professional development for educators and other professionals, especially the use of live-actor simulations, otherwise known as clinical simulations.

A new book, published by Harvard Education Press, gathers case studies, analysis and research that illustrate exactly why clinical simulations have emerged as one of the most powerful tools for the professional preparation and continuing education of teachers, counselors and school leaders.

Edited by Professor Ben Dotger, director of the Center for Experiential Pedagogy and Practice, and School of Education Interim Dean Kelly Chandler-Olcott, “Clinical Simulations as Signature Pedagogy: Educator Preparation Across the Disciplines” features chapters by current and former Syracuse University faculty on the use of simulations in mathematics and science education, physical education, educational leadership, counseling and inclusive education.

The editors and chapter authors will sign copies of the book at a launch event on March 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Jacquet Education Commons in Huntington Hall.

“Clinical simulations are derived from medical education’s use of standardized patients, actors trained to approximate various health concerns,” says Dotger. “By presenting original case studies, we explain how simulations provide a similar, safe shared-learning environment for educators that closely approximates authentic problems of practice. In fact, simulations have emerged as a signature pedagogy across education preparation at Syracuse University, and other institutions have taken note. Representatives from MIT, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University and elsewhere have visited Syracuse to understand this method.”

“The theory that clinical simulations rests upon is that powerful learning takes place when engaging in realistic, immersive situations,” says Chandler-Olcott. “By walking through our examples, readers will learn how simulations offer experiential learning opportunities that center on meaningful problems and contexts, emphasizing knowledge and skills that transfer from pre-service preparation to in-service practice.”

cover jacket for "Clinical Simulations as Signature Pedagogy" edited by Benjamin Dotger and Kelly Chandler-Olcott

“My co-authored chapter explores the use of clinical simulations for disability, difference and inclusive education across several School of Education programs,” says Christine Ashby, director of the School of Education’s Center on Disability and Inclusion. “I see tremendous potential for simulations to address anti-racism, equity and inclusion. In addition to creating opportunities for our students to engage with these topics, sharing data across our programs creates a space to hold our school accountable to the principles and values we espouse.”

Reviewing the book, Elizabeth Dutro, professor of education at the University of Colorado-Boulder, writes, “Dotger and Chandler-Olcott invite readers into the fascinating world of clinical simulations. With commitments to K-12 students at its heart, this volume provides richly contextualized, research-grounded and inventive illustrations of how teacher and counselor educators can draw on simulations to enrich their pedagogies and programs.”

First applied to educator preparation at Syracuse University in 2007, the development of the University’s clinical simulation programs has received external funding from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Institute for Education Sciences, National Science Foundation and Spencer Foundation.

In recent years School of Education faculty have expanded the use of clinical simulations beyond teachers, counselors and school leaders. Most notably, a collaboration with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families received a 2019 Syracuse University CUSE Grant. VET-SIMS have helped to prepare student veterans to navigate the unique challenges of adjusting to campus life. Other applications in development include live-actor simulations that focus on anti-racism and disability and inclusion topics.

“Clinical simulations are dynamic and engaging. There is no option to sit quietly at the back of class,” says Dotger. “At the same time, they are welcoming, allowing professionals to bring together what they’ve been taught and put it into action in an environment that challenges them but that also allows for mistakes.”

  • Author

Martin Walls

  • Recent
  • Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Matt Michael
  • Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By News Staff
  • Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership
    Thursday, May 29, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Syracuse Stage Hosts Inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival
    Wednesday, May 28, 2025, By News Staff

More In Campus & Community

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Syracuse Pride on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations

The third annual fiscal-year end poster campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate Syracuse pride, expand your art collection and make a meaningful impact on the Orange community. As a token of appreciation for their generosity, the first 500 donors…

Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes New Leadership

A Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumna who has supported student and faculty excellence through volunteer service and philanthropy has taken the helm of the Maxwell Advisory Board. Cathy Daicoff  G’79 began her term as chair at the…

Michael J. Bunker Appointed Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Syracuse University today announced the appointment of Michael J. Bunker as the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services following a national search. Bunker will begin his new role on July 1, 2025. He…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.