Effective Teaching Methods Used in Business Education
As the most popular choice of study in American universities, business is a broad concept that, like many departments, has seen a lot of changes over the past few decades. In addition to standard textbooks, classrooms now welcome digital learning and invite new methods of teaching. Below are some of the popular teaching methods that have become commonplace in American universities.
Business Case Studies
Business cases are narratives that contain information and invite analysis. Educators use them to develop their students’ skills in problem-solving, decision-making, quantitative and qualitative thinking, etc. The use of cases allows students to apply the principles learned in class to real-world situations.
Unlike textbooks or lectures, cases include information but provide no analysis. Students are presented with complex, unstructured problems and often don't include every piece of information that a problem solver would like to have. Additionally, unlike textbook examples, business cases don’t break the problem down into clear steps and frequently have no single "right" answer. This creates an environment that fosters creative thinking and collaboration and allows the educator’s role to switch from lecturer to discussion facilitator in which students are the primary participants.
Group Work
Another popular teaching method used in business classes is the use of group work. Group work, also referred to as cooperative or team learning, can be two students problem-solving to a multi-person team working on a semester-long project. Working in teams allows students the opportunity to practice team-building skills and learn to be accountable to their teammates (and themselves).
Group work is also an excellent way to prepare students for the real world. Working in teams strengthens communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, it provides a safe space for students to share ideas and express their opinions more easily than traditional classrooms allow.
Online Homework
Major textbook publishers such as McGraw Hill have their own online platforms that provide assignments related to the concepts covered in the readings. Platforms such as these provide computer-assisted grading. This aid is especially beneficial to professors who are responsible for grading hundreds of students in large lecture classes. The technology also helps enforce a strict due date. Additionally, there's even potential of learning analytics to support their teaching.
Simulations
Simulation games are an excellent tool to provide students real-world experience and practice the concepts they’re taught in class. Companies such as Processim Labs develop simulation games specifically for higher education students. In the company’s operation management game, Medica Scientific, players are presented with a company in an unstable state and they must use their problem-solving skills to improve the company’s financial status. Fueled by competition and strategy, the game is highly engaging and convenient as players can access it right from their mobile devices.
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