Abstract:

Effective teaching in recruit police education, ‘Associate Degree Policing Practice’ (ADPP) creates challenges when designing curriculum to reflect real life policing situations. The reality of students participating in or being present at ‘actual’ policing situations presents both ethical and logistical problems. To address this, the ADPP utilises a blended learning approach for both face to face (New South Wales Police College) and distance education subjects incorporating actual policing incidents. This approach is designed to prepare the raw recruit for the unpredictable, dangerous world associated with policing.

This paper will focus upon the distance education element of the ADPP. It will describe a ‘collaborative model’ with the School of Policing Studies, Charles Sturt University and the New South Wales Police Force, Australia a ‘community of practice’ in workplace training.

The paper explores the blended learning approach through the use of e-simulations and instructional technologies throughout this element of the course. Combined with the realities of policing their design and delivery creates harmonious learning in a multi-media environment, enhancing the teaching and learning outcomes for all theoretical and practicum subjects.

Keywords:

blended, learning, workplace learning.