he University of Virginia (UVA) built TeachSim, a simulation-based teacher training platform, on the Open edX (R) platform in partnership with Edly and simulation-technology provider Mursion. TeachSim addresses the “practice gap” in teacher preparation — the lack of safe, repeatable rehearsal opportunities before novice educators face live classrooms — by replacing high-stakes, human-actor-driven simulations with generative AI-powered virtual student avatars and automated, rubric-aligned coaching.
The platform uses a three-phase pedagogy model (Pre-Teach, Teach, Post-Teach) and relies on Open edX features including single sign-on (SSO), SCORM integration, and a custom AI-coach XBlock to deliver scalable, curriculum-aligned practice. Backed by over a decade of randomized-controlled-trial research, TeachSim has been shown to improve teacher performance in ways that predict real-world classroom success, while automation removed the cost and scaling barriers of earlier human-powered simulation models.
TeachSim demonstrates how open-source, extensible platforms like Open edXplatform let small teams build sophisticated, AI-driven learning products without large enterprise engineering teams — a model of interest to teacher-preparation programs, districts, and state education agencies pursuing early-career (years 0-3) induction support.
Organizations: University of Virginia, Mursion, Edly, Open edX (R) Platform
Topics: teacher preparation, simulation-based learning, AI coaching, deliberate practice, XBlocks, SCORM, open-source EdTech
