Educational value-adding
in simulated workplaces

By Dr Marsha Durham
University of Western Sydney, Nepean

In 1996-97, we received a national educational grant to develop a program called "Writing in Organisations - High-Tech High-Touch". As a writing educator I wanted to solve the problem of trying to give students a sense of contextual nuances, which affect organisational writing and make simple "how to" lists for good writing unrealistic.

Other ways of introducing context - for example, case studies, internships and the lecturers personal stories - have significant weaknesses.

I was also interested in developing this program specifically for students in Western Sydney, where the communication "rules" and mores of the professional workplace may not be familiar.

The program is based on the educational concept of situated learning. Learners that are situated in a "community of practice" have a context for assessing and learning appropriate behaviours, beliefs and values - and in this case, ways of communicating.

The program provides two contexts, 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. The high-tech component is a web-based simulation of an organisation. Students join the organisation as new employees, interview their virtual co-workers, use the simulated company library and prepare documents for their immediate supervisor. The high-touch component consists of industry mentors who volunteer to provide real-world advice.

Contact Details
Dr Marsha Durham
School of Communication & Media
University of Western Sydney, Nepean
PO Box 10
Kingswood NSW 2747
Phone: (02) 9678 7351
Fax: (02) 9678 7399
Email: m.durham@uws.edu.au

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