Improving Communication Skills through DisciplineSpecific Simulation Modules

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Improving Communication Skills through
Discipline-Specific Simulation Modules
http//learn.ae.iastate.edu/omega/omegaFrame.cfm

• David Russell
• David Fisher
• English Department
• Iowa State University

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Problem Non Scolae sed Vitae

• Higher education prepares students for complex
  communicative environments in workplaces and
  civic involvements. Students need to learn to be
• self-directed learners, problem framers, and
  problem solvers
• flexible communicators sensitive to context and
  complexity
• Paper case studies have often been used to
  simulate these environments.
• But paper case studies cannot represent the
  complexities and nuances of workplace and civic
  environments.

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A solution were pursuing

• The web allows us to create complex communicative
  environments to help students become
• self-directed learners, problem framers, and
  problem solvers
• flexible communicators sensitive to context and
  complexity
• Case studies using text, graphics, video, audio,
  communication tools, and web access
• teach concepts as students are applying them to a
  problem
• teach communication as students play roles in the
  case, to give context and motivation to the
  written, oral, visual, and electronic
  communication

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Pilot Delivery

• Two sections (48 students) of English 314,
  Technical Communication (ABE Learning Community)
• Course divided into two units Consulting
  practice building, Consulting engagement
• Students produce oral, written, and visual
  communication
• Proposal/Business Plan and Brochure
• Oral Presentation on potential market for product
• Web site for the organization

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The Frame GradCorp Consulting
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The Engagement Omega Molecular
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Docuverse
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Caught in the Act
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Intranet
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Reference Library
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MyCase BuilderArchitecture
HTML
JavaScript
Flash
ColdFusion
PHP
MySQL
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MyCase BuilderInterface
http//learn.ae.iastate.edu/omega/AdminCenter/Omeg
aAdmin.html
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Development

• English, Ag and Biosystems Engineering
• Professors, Instructors, Graduate Assistants,
  Undergraduate majors
• Business Plan Pro software
• Local and National News (Prodigene)
• Existing Companies (Monsanto, Cargill)

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Research Questions

• Does E-Case contribute to students development
  as self-directed learners, problem framers, and
  problem solvers?
• Can participation in E-Cases better (than
  traditional textbooks or written cases) prepare
  students to read situations and produce
  appropriate discourse?
• Can participation in E-Cases become a viable
  substitute for/transition to internship
  experiences?
• How do E-Cases work to change the roles of
  teacher and student?

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Assessment

• Pre and post case problem solving activities
• Focus groups
• Online surveys
• In-character, high-pressure interviews (video
  taped)
• Student weekly written reflections and
  self-assessment of communication (videoed and
  text)
• Comparison of written products with and without
  the case environment

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Planned Casebook Collaborations at Iowa State

• Living case with Business and Iowa-based Polaris
  Industries
• Huntingtons Disease case in Genetics
• Modified Golden Rice case with Philosophy
• Continued work with Omega case in Ag Engineering

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Future Directions

• Inter-classroom collaboration (i.e., Business,
  English, and Engineering classes participate
  simultaneously) (virtual learning community)
• Inter-campus collaboration
• Case development in conjunction with qualitative
  research methods course

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The End

• Main Omega
• http//learn.ae.iastate.edu/omega/omegaFrame.cfm
• MyCase Admin
• http//learn.ae.iastate.edu/omega/AdminCenter/omeg
  aAdmin.html