The Use of Work-Simulated Learning in a Strategic Integrated Communication Module to Bridge the Gap between Theory and Practice: A Reflection of the Experiential Learning Pathway of Faculty
Jacobus Marthinus De Villiers 
, Anette Degenaar & Chilombo Banda
Issue: Vol.5 No. 8 October 2024 Article 6 pp.329-346
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2024586 | Published online 31st October, 2024.
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This article explored the integration of Work-Simulated Learning to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Due to contextual factors, students from North-West University, South Africa cannot participate in Work-Integrated Learning within a Strategic Integrated Communication module. To address this issue, faculty at North-West University incorporated Simulation-Based Learning within their module. A qualitative research approach was executed to gain insights into the faculty’s experiences regarding the implementation of Work-Simulated Learning as an experiential learning approach. Utilising Gibbs’s (1988) reflective cycle, this study explored module instructors’ perceptions of using Work-Simulated Learning. Findings suggest that instructors viewed the inclusion of Work-Simulated Learning as a practical approach to bridging the gap between theory and practice in the absence of Work-Integrated Learning. Due to the positive experiences highlighted by the instructors, this study recommends the incorporation of Work-Simulated Learning to enhance student readiness by not only mimicking industry but also by including industry in the formulation of Work-Simulated Learning scenarios. The main conclusion of the study emphasised the experiences of lecturers at the North-West University regarding the incorporation of Work-Simulated Learning as an alternative to Work-Integrated Learning to enhance student engagement and increase career development.
Keywords: Work-Simulated Learning, Simulation-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, Gibbs Reflective Cycle, Strategic Integrated Communication
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Mr. Jacobus Marthinus de Villiers is a lecturer at the North-West University School of Communication on the Vanderbijlpark campus. He is responsible for teaching various modules including communication theory, social media, strategic integrated communication and marketing communication. Mr de Villiers obtained his undergraduate degree, honours, and masters in communication from the North-West University. His research interest include brand communication, strategic communication, scholarship of teaching and learning and digital communication.
Dr Anette Degenaar is an experienced communications specialist with extensive experience in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Anette is a senior lecturer at the School of Communication, NWU, on the Potchefstroom campus in South Africa. She teaches communication modules across all three undergraduate years and contributes to hands-on learning for corporate communication students at the honors level, while also supervising postgraduate students at Honours, Masters, and PhD levels. Dr Degenaar holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and a Master’s in Communication, and in 2021, she completed her PhD in Strategic Integrated Communication at NWU. Her doctoral research focused on developing a communication framework tailored to the unique needs of child protection organizations in South Africa.
Dr. Chilombo Banda is a full-time and permanent lecturer in the School of Communication Studies at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus. She serves as the Programme Leader in the School of Communication, Mahikeng Campus within the School. Dr Banda has attended several local and international conferences. Her areas of research and expertise are corporate communication, social media, and media studies. She is a master’s degree holder from the University of Cape Town and completed her doctoral studies in Communication Studies at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus. Before starting work as a lecturer, she worked on a part-time basis as an Assistant Researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) for various projects. Before that, while studying in Cape Town, she worked on a volunteer basis under the marketing sub-committee at South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng).
De Villiers, Jacobus Marthinus, Anette Degenaar & Chilombo Banda .”The Use of Work-Simulated Learning in a Strategic Integrated Communication Module to Bridge the Gap between Theory and Practice: A Reflection of the Experiential Learning Pathway of Faculty.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 5, no.8 (2024):329-346. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2024586
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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