Title: Educating bricoleurs: nurturing a situated learning environment in technology projects

Authors: Andrew J. Sense, Richard J. Badham

Addresses: Faculty of Commerce, School of Management and Marketing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. ' Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

Abstract: This paper argues that managing technological change involves creative improvisation. Managers of technological change inevitably act as bricoleurs who |make do| in context as they act as brokers between different technological frames, social worlds and political interests. To improve their skills in this process, it is important that they are better educated in these skills and practices. This paper argues that such educational goals in technology projects are appropriately pursued through the creation of supportive situated learning environments and identifies and explores five sociological elements which are critical in creating that condition.

Keywords: project situated learning; bricoleuring; technology management; technology projects; technological change; change management; sociological elements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2006.011891

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2006 Vol.16 No.6, pp.466 - 481

Published online: 30 Dec 2006 *

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