Professional Education Using E-Simulations: Benefits of Blended Learning Design contains a broad range of theoretical perspectives on, and practical illustrations of, the field of e-simulations for educating the professions in blended learning environments. Readers will see authors articulate various views on the nature of professions and professionalism, the nature and roles that various types of e-simulations play in contributing to developing an array of professional capabilities, and various viewpoints on how e-simulations as an integral component of blended learning environments can be conceived, enacted, evaluated, and researched.
Stephen Segrave is an Academic Education Designer for the Institute of Teaching and Learning, Deakin University, Australia. Having lectured in Instructional Design and Educational Technologies, he now consults with academic staff to improve teaching and learning through innovative designs. Stephen is recognised for design excellence through Vice-Chancellor’s awards in 2000 and 2002 for ‘Excellence in Teaching’ and in 2008 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning’. In 2002 the award for the suite of simulations: ‘: a virtual newsroom’ (Allen & Unwin, 2003) also won the Ascilite award for Best Software Project demonstrating ‘Exemplary use of electronic technologies in teaching and learning in tertiary education’ and the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) award for ‘Innovation in Learning’. In 2004, Stephen received a Deakin Teaching Explorer Grant culminating in the strategic project: ‘Experiential Learning Through Simulations: Enhancing education in the professions through interactive computer simulations online’ creating five simulations in different disciplines. During 2008-2010 he was a member of the leadership team for the Australian Learning and Teaching Council competitive grants project: ‘Building academic staff capacity for using eSimulations in professional education for experience transfer’. Stephen has published on eSimulations, eLearning environments and academic professional development in several national and international journals
Jacob Cybulski, Associate Professor, is a member of the School of Information Systems at Deakin University, Australia. His research interests include Information Systems theory and research methodology, Information Systems strategy, as well as ICT education. Jacob also works as a consultant to organisations willing to investigate their business processes, develop their technology strategies or align their IT and business practices. Jacob’s past projects range from engineering and telecommunications applications to developing software productivity environments and toolkits. His recently commissioned work includes work on e-commerce, Web development and contents management, educational video and simulation. In his free time Jacob engages in competitive fencing and fine arts. [Editor]