A ‘pracademic’ approach to enrich the student experience in business management teaching.

Nikki McQuillan, Michael McQuillan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

30 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Jo Johnson (2015) in the delivery the Government's Green Paper on Higher Education indicates that while employers report strong demand for graduate talent, they continue to raise concerns about job readiness of too many graduates. Indeed Thomas et al., (2014) claims that critics accuse business schools of doing irrelevant and impractical academic research and a poor job at preparing students for management careers”. Furthermore, Handy (2015) argues “There are limits to how much you can teach about the practice of management in the classroom”. Addressing this criticism and outlining a different approach Johnson (2015) commits to a greater focus on employability and rewarding excellent teaching. According to Harvey (2003) the emphasis should be less on ‘employ’ and more on ‘ability’. In essence, the emphasis is on developing critical, reflective abilities, with a view to empowering and enhancing the learner. Identifying opportunities in the curriculum to provide threshold concepts (Meyer & Land, 2006) can shift developing professionals (students) to think differently about something and enhance their professional practice bringing immediate positive impact to themselves, their organisation, their community and the economy. This workshop paper will focus on ‘Pracademia’ - a shift along the spectrum of teaching from the analysis of business to the practice of business, moving away from content/directing approach to context/coaching approach.There will be sharing of innovative teaching methodology at undergraduate and post graduate level for student and executive learners. This experiential and active learning enables developing professionals to apply and embed their newly acquired thinking in their world of work. Enhancing the student experience is one of the primary objectives of the Higher Education Green Paper and this approach delivers value for money for the student who is making a lifetime investment. The workshop will be delivered by two entrepreneurs who previously grew businesses employing more than 400 people. Presently employed at Ulster University, they are Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUnknown Host Publication
PublisherN/A
Number of pages3
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 14 Jan 2016
EventAssociation of Business Schools – Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Conference 26th -27th April 2016 Aston Business School –Birmingham. - Aston Business School - Birmingham
Duration: 14 Jan 2016 → …

Conference

ConferenceAssociation of Business Schools – Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Conference 26th -27th April 2016 Aston Business School –Birmingham.
Period14/01/16 → …

Keywords

  • Student experience: employability: job readiness.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A ‘pracademic’ approach to enrich the student experience in business management teaching.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this