The SITE (Simulation in Teacher Education) International Research Network (IRN) operating under WERA, held a three-day in-person seminar at Universidad Católica de Valencia (UCV), Spain, bringing together members from across multiple countries to advance a shared research agenda on simulation in teacher education. The IRN’s full title, “Cultural Competence and Professional Development in Teacher Education through Clinical, Role-Playing, and Mixed Reality Simulations: A Model Based on Universal and Contextualized Skills”, reflects its broad conceptual and methodological scope.
The seminar focused on three interconnected strands: clarifying the pedagogical purpose of simulation, developing a shared taxonomy, and identifying avenues for future collaboration, including joint publications, conference symposia, and international research initiatives.
A central outcome of the meeting was the consolidation of a shared conceptualization of simulation as a designed, practice-oriented learning experience that enables educators to engage with complex professional situations in a structured and psychologically safe environment.
Participants further articulated a three-phase model of simulation-based learning: briefing, simulation, and debriefing, highlighting debriefing as the primary site of learning, where structured reflection supports the development of professional judgment, metacognition, and professional identity.
Particular attention was given to parent–teacher communication as a central challenge in teacher education, positioning simulation as a powerful means of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and professional practice.
The seminar also advanced a shared framework for understanding different simulation modalities, including live role-play, virtual simulations, and AI-supported environments. Participants explored the emerging role of AI as a designer, facilitator, observer, and potential agent within simulations, pointing toward new directions for collaborative research and innovation.
Importantly, the meeting strengthened the collaborative infrastructure of the SITE IRN and established a strong conceptual foundation for a shared simulation taxonomy, reinforcing its contribution to international research on teacher education and its role in advancing simulation-based learning worldwide.