Dilemmas in sustainability

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 594-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Canto de Loura
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Cultural Perceptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Students

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contextualize the potential contribution that experiential learning and a learner-centred pedagogical approach may have when aiming to embed sustainability-focused and corporate social responsibility issues in businesses throughout the core curriculum targetted at international cohorts of undergraduate management students. Design/methodology/approach – A new conceptual framework for experiential learning that draws on both scholarly and experimental learning. Using learner-centred learning, the approach aims to engage each student to act both as a learner and a mentor, thus empowering them into enhancing their own and the overall class’ learning experience. Findings – Applying the diversity of students’ individual cultural mindsets to analyse and critically evaluate some of the current most pressing organizational and national/international dilemmas in sustainability. The preliminary outcomes seem to indicate that this approach enriches the students’ learning experience and motivates them to become reflective practitioners and sustainability-focused leaders in their future organizational roles. Research limitations/implications – A framework for an empirical mapping of this important area of teaching and learning (T & L) aimed at a highly international body of undergraduate management students. This is currently under-represented in academic writing and practice, as most of the comparable situations so far mainly address post-graduate cases and do not reflect on the international diversity of the student body. Practical implications – This research reflects on the importance of embedding diverse views on the same issues based on different cultural and socio-economic perspectives, and therefore it brings value to the students’ experience in view of enhancing their global and international human relations awareness and negotiation skills in view of more meaningful sustainability-focused plans and actions. Social implications – Students become aware of differences in needs, resources, cultural perceptions, business standards, practices and policies in place in different countries, and they will be committed to embedding sustainability issues in their future life as business practitioners and will be able to ensure the most appropriate business responses to a planet and humanity under pressure. Originality/value – A rather innovative T & L approach to embed sustainability issues in undergraduate management students training in a highly international context. This is currently under-represented in academic writing and practice, in spite of the numerous programmes that nowadays bring students from all over the world to study together at higher education/university undergraduate level.

Videotaped teaching and learning methodology – an experiential learning and action research approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghadah Al Murshidi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
University Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Remote Learning

Purpose This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of videotaped learning when used in a university in the UAE, in terms of evaluating the experiences of the students, along with highlighting its benefits along with challenges. The research aims to analyse the challenges and benefits of videotaped story workshop method for university students in the UAE. Experiential learning theory can be the basis of this videotaped method of learning and can be used for further theory and the contribution of this research study to knowledge in international education in business. Design/methodology/approach The results got by extracting primary data (quantitative and qualitative) from a sample size of 201 students. The paper used an action research methodology within a university degree course and within the teaching profession. The research design is associated with measuring and assessing the challenges and benefits of videotaped story workshop method for university students, along with the perceptions of the students towards its use. The study primarily used participatory action research which is a community-based study, action-based enquiry and action learning. The approach mostly used to improve the conditions and practices in a range of social environments. Findings The results suggest that most students were in favour of incorporating videotaped story workshop method for the learning experience as this eradicates common linguistic and cultural barriers. Observations indicate the students found it quite challenging to learn new techniques of making videos but later on shown a positive attitude towards the adoption of technology in terms of creating videos and presenting. Technology allowed students to make videos to showcase previous experiences and stories via digital storytelling. Such methods enhance student’s knowledge and academic skills while supporting learning behaviour and inspires them to plan, organise and share their ideas and expertise. Research limitations/implications The above methodology has good potential for inclusive learning and teaching at the higher education level which was not attempted due to lack of connecting to the learners with challenges at the university and for the researchers able to connect to such people. This method can be easily extended to inclusive teaching and learning with minor adjustments as required with the disabilities noticed for the learners. Hence, while most students displayed a positive attitude towards learning from creating, sharing and viewing digital stories, it can be argued that a certain proportion of them was not able to benefit entirely from it due to lack of experience and skills in generating videos. Therefore, attention must be emphasised upon factors to minimise these challenges in multiple ways, for example, provision of training to students for easy employment of videotaping or affordable internet access, etc. Practical implications The students also stated that initially, they perceived videotape methodology quite challenging; however, with time, they started enjoying this method. Videotaped story workshops, learners easily grasp the idea/knowledge through subtitles, even if the lessons are not delivered in their native language. This aspect results in increasing student’s motivation towards learning new concepts and coordinating with other teams to share knowledge and ideas. The method creates a strong sense of achievement amongst students that serves as a motivational driver for academic performance. The videotaped story workshop method supports student’s learning rate, increases their interest and makes the whole learning process more enjoyable. Social implications The learning experience will improve as students and teachers get comfortable using this videotape learning methodology. The method will be useful in remote learning as in the COVID19 situation and has immense social implications, especially in education. It can extend to most domains and knowledge, teaching scenarios for engineering and business. The research promises to add to the knowledge of blended learning and to the experiential learning approach which is useful to the international business of education and its future. Originality/value The classroom activities videotapes stored in platforms, making it convenient for the students and teachers to browse through at their convenience and to improve on in the future. This videotape method applies to any field of learning such as music, cooking, engineering, language study, business studies as it has the advantage to be transcribed and also captions added for the learners and teachers to understand it better. It can be useful in remote learning situations, also like the current one. It promises to be a more efficient way of learning for the future in education and the education business will benefit from it.

A case for early semester utilization of business simulations

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Angolia ◽  
April Helene Reed
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Business Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Use ◽  
Management Students ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to encourage the use of simulations early in a semester, rather than as a course capstone activity, in an effort to utilize simulations as a foundational experience. The intent is to support teaching and learning, as opposed to using simulations as a capstone assignment or assessment tool.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review synthesizing higher education business simulation effectivity and evaluation methods provides support for the analysis of 60 undergraduate supply chain management students and 96 surveys conducted over two years. The research question explores effectiveness based on the point of time during a semester a simulation was used.FindingsThe analysis of simulation effectiveness, based on the impact of course enjoyment and assistance with learning key course competencies, showed no significant differences for simulations used early in a semester or as an end-of-semester capstone event.Practical implicationsSimulations are effective tools regardless of when they are employed, but there may be significant benefits to using a simulation early in a semester by capitalizing on the tool’s inherent experiential learning functionality, active learning theory and the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle. Early use of simulations provides common student experiences and creates a foundation for educators to develop a deeper understanding of course concepts. Additional instructor effort is needed to develop external, course specific student work to supplement and enhance the simulation experience. Early use also creates post-simulation debriefing benefits that may be precluded by the end-of-semester simulation events.Originality/valueEvidence suggests that simulations are primarily utilized as course capstone events and/or serve as comprehensive tools to integrate/assess a semester’s worth of conceptual learning. This work fills a gap in the research concerning time frames within a semester when simulations are traditionally employed, presenting a paradigm shift toward early utilization.

scholarly journals Intercultural sensitivity and its effects on ELT curricula – Teacher insights

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walead Etri
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teaching Context ◽  
Group Interviews

PurposeThis qualitative research set out to understand what teachers’ assessments were of the context of teaching as it relates to the curriculum, and what they consider appropriate for an optimal teaching and learning experience in a university english language teaching (ELT) context.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were deemed required to understand the effects and understanding teachers had of the ELT curriculum as it played out in their teaching context. Focus group interviews and observations were the main method for data generation.FindingsThe context has a bearing on the ongoing development of teachers’ intercultural sensitivity (IS) frames and how they address IS over time in their context of teaching as it pertains to curriculum.Originality/valueThis is an original research paper which gives insight to knowledge about the relationship between ELT, curriculum and culture.

Empowering corporate social responsibility (CSR): insights from service learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miftachul Huda ◽  
Dedi Mulyadi ◽  
April Lia Hananto ◽  
Nasrul Hisyam Nor Muhamad ◽  
Kamarul Shukri Mat Teh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to explore service learning with its insights in empowering corporate responsibility awareness. Attempts to build corporate responsibility widely in incorporating into the sustainability engagement could be demonstrated in fostering the transformative experiential learning with extensive evaluation and reconfiguration of existing programs. The focus on enhancing the learning experience in emphasizing the community engagement would be applied with strengthening the actual performance in encompassing the ability raising awareness about the environmental issues. Design/methodology/approach The approach used in this paper refers to develop the conceptual framework about the service learning with various strategies to give insight on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Incorporating the approach of conceptualizing the basis of service learning, key consideration was generated into particular enhancement of service learning in contributing to the CSR. Findings The finding reveals that getting benefit to serving into the community engagement may take beneficial outcomes with its valuable insight to assist in the progress of program designed with associating to enhance corporate responsibility and sustainability awareness. The advancement of the social control among the companies would be deployed within empowering service learning for CSR where sustainability awareness-based community service as embodiment of CSR should be enhanced through nurturing corporate responsibility-based transformative experiential learning. Moreover, this initiative refers to an attempt to strengthen the basis of corporate responsibility and sustainability awareness-based experiential learning, which could enlarge creative thinking with envisioning sustainability and corporate responsibility. Originality/value This study is expected to contribute to the experiential learning to enhance the sustainability within the learning setting engaged in achieving what to contribute to the environmental concern. In creating the situation where the balance between serving and learning can be achieved, attempts to encourage them in joining the service learning program should be collaborated with orienting both personal and social community oriented comprehensively in underlying the responsibility awareness, the sustainability-based moral values. These aim to enhance the understanding stage about the care for protecting the environmental concern within learning experience with the goal to produce responsible awareness especially by economic agents such as shareholders, managers, regulators and active participants to promote sustainable benefits.

An exploratory study of experiential learning in teaching a supply chain management course in an emerging market economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minwir M. Al-Shammari
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Case Analysis ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Learning Skills ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The study is exploratory and aims to investigate students’ learning experience in a supply chain management (SCM) course at a university in Bahrain. The selected learning skills were cognitive, affective and interactive, whereas the adopted pedagogical tools were case analysis, evaluative essay and game exercise. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was distributed to undergraduate students enrolled in an SCM course at a university in Bahrain. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques were used. Inferential analysis tests were principal component analysis, Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance and Dunn’s post hoc pairwise comparison test. Findings Results are inconclusive but revealed significant differences in students’ perceptions of learning skills among the adopted teaching methods. Significant differences in the perceived learning skills were found between the evaluative essay and the case analysis and between the report and the game exercise. The game exercise was the most useful technique in improving students’ interactive, cognitive and affective skills, followed by case analysis and evaluative essay. Research limitations/implications As the sample of this study consisted of students enrolled in a particular SCM course at a University in Bahrain, the small sample size may restrict the study’s conclusive findings. Practical implications It is recommended to establish an experiential or problem-based learning support unit to assist faculty in the planning, design and development of pedagogical and assessment tools. Originality/value The research findings are expected to help design, assess and enhance students’ learning experience in SCM and other business courses that adopt a process-based experiential learning perspective.

Pedagogical Responses to Social Software in Universities

2010 ◽  
pp. 335-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine McLoughlin ◽  
Mark J.W. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Social Software ◽  
Pedagogical Change ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Models Of Teaching ◽  
Networked Society

Learning management systems (LMS’s) that cater for geographically dispersed learners have been widely available for a number of years, but many higher education institutions are discovering that new models of teaching and learning are required to meet the needs of a generation of learners who seek greater autonomy, connectivity, and socio-experiential learning. The advent of Web 2.0, with its expanded potential for generativity and connectivity, propels pedagogical change and opens up the debate on how people conceptualize the dynamics of student learning. This chapter explores how such disruptive forces, fuelled by the affordances of social software tools, are challenging and redefining scholarship and pedagogy, and the accompanying need for learners to develop advanced digital literacy skills in preparation for work and life in the networked society. In response to these challenges, the authors propose a pedagogical framework, Pedagogy 2.0, which addresses the themes of participation in networked communities of learning, personalization of the learning experience, and learner productivity in the form of knowledge building and creativity.

Enriching the intersection of service and transformative learning with Freirean ideas: The case of a critical experiential learning programme in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-597
Author(s):  
Rosane Dal Magro ◽  
Marlei Pozzebon ◽  
Soraia Schutel
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Management Students

In this article, we examine the value of combining transformative and service learning pedagogical practices in management education programmes to encourage management students to be more critical and reflexive regarding serious contemporary issues like social inequality and sustainability. We draw on a long-term management education experience conducted in the northeastern region of Brazil, where international students learn how to develop a real-time community-based project with local inhabitants. We argue that while service learning approaches promote pragmatic action-based principles, transformative learning acts at the epistemic level, contributing to change in values. In addition, Paulo Freire’s ideas are integrated to reinforce critical and reflexive dimensions of the learning experience. Our results offer a process-based model showing how a critical experiential learning pedagogy might lead to the development of community-based competences, which, in turn, might lead to changes in the deeply held values of the participants. Freire’s emancipatory ideas are applied not only regarding the relationship between teachers and students, but also to the distinction between Western and non-Western societies, going beyond questioning of the destructive consequences of financial capitalism to question the hegemony of one worldview over all other possible ones.

scholarly journals Professional learning and development initiatives for postdoctoral scholars

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorelli Nowell ◽  
Glory Ovie ◽  
Natasha Kenny ◽  
K. Alix Hayden ◽  
Michele Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Career Planning ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Planning Project ◽  
Development Initiatives

Purpose Postdoctoral scholars are increasingly pursuing diverse career paths requiring broad skill sets. This study aims to create a more comprehensive understanding of current approaches and strategies for postdoctoral scholars professional learning and development. Design/methodology/approach This literature review is a systematic examination and synthesis of the current literature describing professional learning and development pertaining to postdoctoral scholars. The objectives and components of initiatives were extracted and narratively synthesized to identity important patterns and themes across the literature. Findings Commonalities amongst professional learning and development initiatives for postdoctoral scholars included skills development in the following areas: teaching and learning, mentorship, academic careers, academic writing, industry careers, networking, career planning, project management, time management, communication, leadership and balancing work-life demands. Originality/value In synthesizing the literature that describes professional learning and development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars, it is apparent that opportunities look different in every setting with no empirical evidence that one strategy is more effective than another. Given the significant resources often required to support professional learning and development initiatives, a deeper understanding of the benefits and deficiencies of various components is needed to ensure scarce resources are invested in the most effective strategies.

Advocating Service Learning for Developing Citizenship in University Students in South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Dorasamy ◽  
Soma Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Public Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Public Servant ◽  
Management Students

An effective and efficient public sector is largely dependent on employees who accept the responsibility for providing high-quality public services. It can be argued that public management students, as future employees in the public sector, need to be educated for responsible citizenship. Higher education institutions in South Africa are expected to promote social and economic development, and service learning can serve as a catalyst for developing responsible citizenship among public management students. This article investigates how service learning, as an experiential form of learning which has its roots in community service, meets community needs, enhances teaching and learning and contributes towards responsible citizenship. The extent to which service learning in public management as a discipline has been adopted by universities of technology in South Africa is also explored. It is argued that while public management students are expected to engage in experiential learning in the public sector, community-based learning should be included as a compulsory component of experiential learning. The authors suggest that service learning can make a significant contribution to socially responsible citizenship, an important value underpinning any public servant.

scholarly journals In the digital age, physical learning materials still have their own space in education.

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saher F. Ali ◽  
Mark A. Schier
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
Laboratory Manual ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Student Cohorts ◽  
Student Laboratory

Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) has a large student cohort undertaking anatomy and physiology as part of their core curriculum. Large student cohorts (> 300) impact on the quality and amount of feedback students receive. Teaching and learning materials for students are generally necessary as part of the learning process, and also assist the instructor. This study evaluated whether the introduction of a student laboratory manual enhances student learning and the feedback they receive in the unit of Anatomy and Physiology. It also evaluated the addition of a teaching guide in the teaching experience of tutors in the unit. Anonymous online student and tutor surveys were conducted. Questions regarding the content, presentation and educational value were included in the survey. Students overwhelmingly responded positively to the student laboratory manual. They also believed the amount and quality of feedback received during the unit from their tutor was beneficial to their learning. Students also reported that having a hard copy of their laboratory manual enhanced their learning experience. Therefore, in conclusion the student laboratory manual is a positive introduction into the curriculum of anatomy and physiology. It also identifies potential areas of improvement for the anatomy and physiology curriculum.

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