Delivering simulation solutions to remote communities

Australia has always faced unique challenges in the delivery of high quality maritime training in a country spread over a wide geographical area. Despite its immense size, Australia has a relatively small population and a modest shipping industry. The national Australian Maritime College has the primary responsibility for meeting the professional development needs of the industry and is home to the nation’s leading simulation centre. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges, in providing high quality education and training in Australia, that responds to enhancements in the technological environment in which seafarers are immersed. In particular it challenges the traditional view that effective simulation can only be delivered in a high-cost high-value single location, often situated many miles from the trainee’s home. This paper examines the importance of simulation within a structured training program. Following a brief consideration of good educational practice it then suggests how the benefits accrued by high quality simulation can be transferred to remote communities. The research conducted included a review of current practices and a literature review of publications in this area. The Australian Maritime College is developing a new capability that takes advantage of Australia’s investment in the National Broadband Network (NBN). This will allow remote communities the use of simulation in a way hitherto unachievable. The paper explains the benefits of technology-based training in remote areas and examines some of the issues raised in developing a new capability that reaches far away from the central hub of the organisation. As well as explaining the technical and operational issues of the initiative, the paper explores how the pedagogical integrity of the learning process is assured and how these simulations will be used in the future.