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UCF Technology Incubator Firm To Release Simulation Program That Could Revolutionize Teacher Training
Orlando, Fla. (December 12, 2002)—A UCF Technology Incubator company has set its sights on becoming the premier developer of simulation technology for the education industry. Next year Applied Simulation, Corp., in conjunction with e-Business consulting firm V-Shift, plans to introduce an Internet-based, simulation technology module that is a first step toward a virtual classroom for teachers in training.
"We have implemented our teaching skills assessment module in Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin," said John Jacobs Ph.D, Applied Simulation chief executive officer.
"The teaching skills assessment module is an important step for us and it could become an important step for education in Florida," he said. "Widespread implementation of the module depends on streaming video technology V-Shift is developing."
"A teacher in a classroom encounters thousands of different problems every year," said Jacobs. "We have created a wide variety of classroom scenes - pictures and dialogue - that illustrate these problems. By allowing teachers in training to experience these situations in a closely controlled environment they can learn how to substantially increase their ability to manage their classrooms and, more importantly, their students' learning processes," he said.
Applied Simulation is farther along in development of simulation tools for educators than any technology company in the country. And Jacobs has a bold promise for Florida Dept. of Education officials: "Widespread adoption of our system could move Florida's education system from almost dead last to the top ten in the U.S. within 10 years," he added
"We had an advantage from the beginning," said Jacobs. "My partner, David Olsen, is a former teacher. We began addressing the issues from the standpoint of the classroom teacher, not the technology."
Carol Ann Dykes, associate director of the UCF Technology Incubator, said Applied Simulation has a very promising product that has applications beyond the public education market. "Our objective is to create the environment for high technology companies to flourish here," Dykes said, adding, "Technology-based firms such as those in the Incubator are creating and taking to market products and services that will improve life for all of us."
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