Student experience
Our School gives students more access to immersive learning technologies than any other in Australia.
We believe in better preparing students through a variety of simulation technologies ahead of their placements. Our researchers are also leading the way in the use of these technologies for teacher education.
SimTeach, SimSchool and SimCave provide a diverse range of hands-on learning experiences to help students prepare for a variety of educational contexts and teaching diverse range of students.
SimTeach is a live simulation experience where student teachers can practice different strategies with avatars operated by another human. This helps to create realistic teaching interaction with diverse characters, all reacting in real time.
SimSchool is a virtual classroom environment designed to introduce student teachers to the language of education and behavioural interactions of classrooms.
SimCave is a 7-metre 360˚ immersive environment that gives student teachers exceptional learning experiences. They also can see the potential to use new digital media for deeper creative and cultural learning.
A research study into immersive storytelling for special education using the SimCave in 2023 found that 82% of participating students were motivated to use these pedagogies in their own teaching and more than 78% experienced an increased understanding of different learning needs.
Our complete immersive technology 2:10
SimTeach, SimCave and SimSchool immerse students in both virtual reality and hands on experiences.
Check out our SimCave 0:53
SimCave is a 360° immersive environment that provides student teachers with the best of immersive learning experiences.
Professional Experience Unit
This Unit manages the compulsory professional experience placements for students enrolled in many School of Education programs. These placements play a critical role in ensuring that our graduates have the prerequisite knowledge, skills and dispositions for a successful career in teaching.
We also offer international placement opportunities so that you can apply what you have learnt in your degree to a global context.
Current international placement opportunities in third year include schools and daycare centres in Vietnam and The Maldives. You can also nominate a country of your choice to undertake your third-year placement, subject to approval.
International Engagement for Students
As well as having the opportunity to complete your third-year placement overseas, there are a wide range of study tours where you can study with your peers for a 2 to 4-week international experience. Locations currently offered include China, France and Belgium, Fiji, Japan, Maldives, Nepal, Singapore, Taiwan, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
These experiences can be funded by an OS HELP Loan. We also have study grants available for Asian nations through the New Colombo Plan initiative.
School contacts
General enquiries
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Callaghan Campus
Phone: +61 2 4921 6428
education@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.