A structured approach to e-simulations using e-tasks, email analysis and email typing practice.

The Context: Business Negotiations

Clive Newton 2001

Adapted from:

Cotton D and Robbins S; Business Class; Longman 1991

Introduction

This set of activities exemplifies how a traditional role play, and the preparation necessary for it, can be dealt with through an e-learning interactive interface. Only one of the two role cards is currently available. This would be given to 'Student 1' ('Student 2' would be working on the other interactive role card at the same time. Students begin by doing the comprehension and vocabulary tasks on the 'e-role card' (Screens 1 to 4), then move on to the email writing practice task (Screens 5 and 6). Finally 'Student 1' , acting as the Chief Buyer of Trendsetters, initiates the email communication by writing and sending the first email. While 'Student 1' is writing the first email, 'Student 2', representing Island Silks, is engaged in other related tasks. Alternatively Island Silks (Student 2) can be represented by the tutor.

Screen One

Read the context and drag the word to the appropriate space on the map of the USA or China. Another word then appears. Put any redundant distracters in the rubbish bin.

Screen Two

Reading for general topic of paragraph. Drag sub-heading to the correct space. Feedback provided. Ignore redundant distracter. Click instructions for animated example.

Screen Three

Text is dealt with for detailed reading practice.

Feedback provided with 'teaching-like' explanations.

Questions accessed by clicking on the grey button.

Screen Four

Deducing meaning from context task. Students click on a word in the text and the feedback is provided in the yellow box.

Screen Five

There is no task as such in Screen Five. The task is Screen Six where students write the email based on Screen Five's model. Screen Five's role is to teach. Students click on key words and expressions (in green on the text) to learn about their style, their function in discourse, appropriate / inappropriate synonyms, collocations, word grammar.