How might we enhance learning experiences in b-schools?
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The document summarizes interviews with business students on their educational experiences and career goals. Key findings include: 1) Students found project-based work to be the most impactful learning activity but it is underutilized. Lectures focus too much on memorizing facts rather than practical application. 2) Experiential learning through client projects, simulations, and competitions are ideal for applying knowledge. 3) Students see design and design thinking as applicable to all business problems and a way to discover innovative solutions. However, they need more opportunities to translate ideas into tangible solutions. 4) Students' career goals focus more on creating meaningful impact and change rather than job titles. However, many currently lack confidence in their
![I want to work for a brand that
I truly love [] My goal is to
lead some kind of change that
will positively impact the
brand.
I want to build things that
people will find useful.
I want to be a life long learner
and to create change.
My dream is to push the
technological development in
Canada.
I want to foster safe learning
environments.
I look for opportunities to
better my life and the lives of
others.
DRAFT for discussion
purposes only
It is not about the job title (E.g. CEO, VP), but creating a
meaningful, powerful change](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/userresearchdmi-140605175724-phpapp02/85/How-might-we-enhance-learning-experiences-in-b-schools-13-320.jpg)
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How might we enhance learning experiences in b-schools?
- 1. Key takeaways from business students on educational offerings, design thinking, and future careers Project date: May Aug 2013 Amy Chong DRAFT for discussion purposes only They spoke and I listened! Challenge: >What are the gaps between the educational offerings and what students need to enhance their learning experience? >Does design or design thinking play a role in the future of graduate education? >How do graduates envision their future careers?
- 2. DRAFT for discussion purposes only I interviewed an eclectic bunch of MBAs who all have a deep passion for design, innovation, and the human side of business
- 3. Assessment of todays business school education DRAFT for discussion purposes only
- 4. Description ImpactActivity Traditional lectures Professors speaking at the front of the class for the entire lecture Case-based discussions Read HBR cases and prepare answers to questions provided for class discussion/debate Exercises before theory Students do practice problems, activities, or mini projects before professor gives the lecture on theory and approach, then students revisit prior work Memorize facts Read textbook/lecture slides for written assessments Project-based work Work with team members to tackle ambiguous and complex problems that have multiple moving parts DRAFT for discussion purposes only Students found that project-based work has a high educational impact, however, this learning activity is often underutilized
- 5. DRAFT for discussion purposes only Learn Apply Learning experience Implications Do not have an opportunity to refine tools and skill sets gained from lecture Creates disconnect between theory and real-world application; students have difficulties applying what they know Cannot understand how the knowledge and skills from each course come together (i.e. holistic perspective) Students also experienced a lack of practical application opportunities, which are critical to the learning lifecycle
- 6. Experiential learning must be a key focus for tomorrows education DRAFT for discussion purposes only
- 7. I love to have the freedom to explore and experiment with ideas. I need to get my hands dirty for things to stick. Learning isnt about getting the one right answer theyre looking for. I learn by pushing the boundaries and taking risks. I learn so much more working with people. I want to be thrown into real-world problems that I dont understand. DRAFT for discussion purposes only The best learning experiences are those that allow students to get their hands dirty, experiment, and actively explore ideas
- 8. Description Priority Experientiallearningactivities Client-based projects Current real-world problems presented by non- profits, corporations or local businesses to teams Program runs for 4 to 8 months for students to apply everything that theyve learned so far High Partnerships with student-led clubs Competitions and challenges within business school and across faculties (E.g. engineering, design) Knowledge sharing and application through live cases aligned with course material Med In-class simulations and experiments Role play situations, cases, theory Games (E.g. the famous beer game to emulate supply chain process and theory) Develop prototypes to test and critique High Bite-size experiences Boot camps, workshops, hack-a-thons Students can practice and make mistakes quickly Sessions can last for 1 week or over a weekend Med DRAFT for discussion purposes only Experiential learning sample; the insights from what creates a great/bad learning experience are the foundation of these ideas
- 9. Students perspective on design & design thinking DRAFT for discussion purposes only
- 10. DRAFT for discussion purposes only Design change function creative needs tangiblebeautiful form ideas people Design thinking user- centered human perspecti ve holistic focus approachstrategy designer mindset analytical intuition Design is bringing form to ideas, while design thinking is a process to tackle challenges. However, both concepts share many of the same fundamental principles. Students found it difficult to come up with distinct definitions; the words used for each concept show they are closely related
- 11. Good design is good business. Good business enables good design. 0% 0% 10% 60% 30% 1 2 3 4 5 Scale rating (1-no value to 4 excellent value) Students rate the value of design to business DRAFT for discussion purposes only Key thoughts Design is applicable to all business problems and ambiguous challenges Design thinking helps people discover innovative ideas organically A design lens considers analytics & people when making business decision 1 2 3 Some gave off the charts rating! Regardless, students understand that the core principles of design and design thinking can be applied to achieve their goals
- 12. The footprint that we want to leave: career goals & aspirations DRAFT for discussion purposes only
- 13. I want to work for a brand that I truly love [] My goal is to lead some kind of change that will positively impact the brand. I want to build things that people will find useful. I want to be a life long learner and to create change. My dream is to push the technological development in Canada. I want to foster safe learning environments. I look for opportunities to better my life and the lives of others. DRAFT for discussion purposes only It is not about the job title (E.g. CEO, VP), but creating a meaningful, powerful change
- 14. DRAFT for discussion purposes only Students participated in a brainstorming/discovery workshop with DE:RE to design the career that they would love to live
- 15. DRAFT for discussion purposes only They described the types of problem that make them tick, the lifestyle they want to form, the emotions they crave, the dream play space, and the people they want to build things with
- 16. DRAFT for discussion purposes only They want every aspect to bring excitement to their lives; they want their work to keep them up at night (in a good way!)
- 17. DRAFT for discussion purposes only The common denominators of students analogy for their future career: impactful, unique, exhilarating & forever changing My work tomorrow will be like a magical jack-in-the-box My work tomorrow will be like a growing seed My work tomorrow will be like Alice in Wonderland
- 18. 20% 60% 20% I can do it I think I can do it I don't think I can do it yet Students personal assessment of their ability to achieve their goals immediately Reasons Need more help in translating ideas into tangible solutions Not sure if I can make the optimal decisions; need to practice critical thinking and model-based decision making Still in the discovery phase. I have general/high level goals, but I dont know exactly where Im going However, many students are unsure of their ability to achieve their big dreams at this point of their education Students know the power of design can help them achieve their goals. Now, experiential learning will bridge the gap between knowing and doing. DRAFT for discussion purposes only