Finch, 1992

This organizational simulation allows participants to assume the roles of administrators (e.g., dean, vice president, campus administrator) and to be responsible for operating Breakers Technical College, an institution that serves over 10,000 full- time and part-time students. The simulation is highly interactive, allowing participants to apply various leader attributes in a variety of settings and situations. Simulation content, which builds upon National Center for Research in Vocational Education leadership research, was drawn from personal interviews with 117 vocational education administrators and instructors employed in 38 secondary institutions across the United States. Additional interviews were conducted with groups of technical college, community college, and technical center administrators and instructors to obtain group process and contextual information. The simulation has been field tested at four universities and was well received by users.

Ten participants are needed to assume the administrative positions used in the simulation. However, a second or even third simulation can be run simultaneously if additional groups of ten persons are available. A simulation director and one or two assistants are need for each simulation.

Simulation materials include guidelines for conducting the simulation, Breakers Technical College orientation materials, and materials for each of the ten administrators. The guidelines include checklists and forms that should be helpful to persons who direct the simulation.

The simulation can be conducted as a stand-alone activity or in conjunction with an administrator or leadership course, workshop, or program. Basic time requirements are one to two hours for the simulation orientation, six hours for the simulation, and two to four hours for the simulation debriefing.

Finch, C.R. (1992). Breakers: An organizational simulation for vocational education professionals. Berkeley, CA: National Center for Research in Vocational Education, University of California-Berkeley.