Air Gondwana: teaching basic negotiation skills using multimedia

Abstract

The first year units Contracts A and Contracts B at the Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Law are assigned the task of teaching the skill of negotiation at a basic level as part as an integrated graduate capabilities program. Until 2008 this was done using a traditional approach involving a lecture, print materials and role plays. In 2008 the traditional approach was replaced with the multimedia program Air Gondwana, which is centred on the dealings of a fictional airline. It utilises video, online modules and ‘machinima’ — movies made using a virtual environment, in this case the Second Life environment. Air Gondwana is founded upon a range of learning theory including social constructivism, Collin’s ‘cognitive apprenticeship’ model and Laurillard’s model for successful learning of law. This article discusses the development of the Air Gondwana program and its pedagogical underpinnings.