The Brisbane Media Map is both an online resource and a tertiary-level
authentic learning project. The Brisbane Media Map is an online database which provides a
detailed overview of about 600 media industry organizations in Brisbane, Australia. In
addition to providing contact details and synopses for each organization’s profile, the
Brisbane Media Map also includes supplementary information on current issues, trends,
and individuals in the media and communication industry sectors. This resource is produced
and updated annually by final-year undergraduate Media and Communication students.
This article introduces the Brisbane Media Map, its functionality and systems design
approach, as well as its alignment with key learning infrastructures. It examines authentic
learning as the pedagogical framework underpinning the ongoing development work of the
resource and highlights some synergies of this framework with participatory design
principles. The Brisbane Media Map is a useful example of an authentic learning approach
that successfully engages students of non-traditional and non-design areas of study in
human–computer interaction, usability, and participatory design activities

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• The Brisbane Media Map: participatory design and authentic learning to link students and industry