Using Classroom Competitions to Prepare Students For the Competitive Business World

This paper describes how a university, collaborating with industry, integrated research with active learning (e.g., collaboration in teams and competitions) for fashion majors. The redesigned introductory course uses two strategies: team competitions and a genius bar to guide students, give ongoing feedback, and judge final competitions. Active learning brings reality to the classroom, guiding students to transform information into knowledge, and motivating students to apply textbook theories and practice skills in a real world business setting. The course is based on previous calls by academicians recommending students encounter real world work environments so they will not graduate inadequately prepared for work situations. The need for research skills and integrated thinking is reinforced by regional, national and international accrediting agencies (SACS, 2012).

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