Epiphany: A Story of Improving Teaching Effectiveness in an Executive MBA Economics Course

This paper discusses the reengineering of an executive MBA economics principles course. Traditional lecture-test structure was changed to a seminar style. Events leading to this change are described. Many years of evaluation results are presented to quantitatively and qualitatively depict the dramatic impacts of the changes. Learning theories that help explain the effects are then discussed, especially as they may help others redesign their teaching methodologies. Non-theoretic learning strategies for students and seven research-based principles for more effective teaching are also presented to help explain the results achieved.

[1]  B. Moyes The new economics. , 2006, The Health service journal.

[2]  Russell L. Ackoff,et al.  Re-Creating the Corporation: A Design of Organizations for the 21st Century , 1999 .

[3]  W. Gartner Dr. Deming Comes to Class , 1993 .

[4]  C. Weinstein Assessment and Training of Student Learning Strategies , 1988 .

[5]  M. Daudelin Learning from experience through reflection , 1996 .

[6]  Cristelle O'Connor,et al.  A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You can be More Creative , 2002 .

[7]  Joseph D. Novak,et al.  Learning creating and using knowledge: Concept maps as facilitative tools , 1998 .

[8]  Thomas A. Angelo,et al.  Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers. Second Edition. , 1993 .

[9]  T. Buzan Use both sides of your brain , 1976 .

[10]  S. Olorundare,et al.  CONSTRUCTIVISM AND LEARNING IN SCIENCE , 2006 .

[11]  GB Heath Lecturing , 1971, Veterinary Record.

[12]  D. Ausubel The psychology of meaningful verbal learning. , 1963 .

[13]  J. Novak Learning, Creating, and Using Knowledge , 2009 .

[14]  Peter R. Scholtes,et al.  The leaderʾs handbook : making things happen, getting things done , 1998 .

[15]  Joseph D. Novak,et al.  Learning How to Learn , 1984 .

[16]  M. Wittrock Learning as a Generative Process , 1974 .

[17]  J. Novak,et al.  Educational Psychology: A Cognitive View , 1969 .

[18]  Edward De Bono,et al.  Serious Creativity: Using the Power of Lateral Thinking to Create New Ideas , 1992 .

[19]  Paul Vare,et al.  Learning for a Change , 2007 .

[20]  Phillip Edwards Essentials of Statistics for Business and Economics , 2007 .

[21]  A. Zauberman,et al.  The new economics , 1965 .

[22]  E. Bono Six Thinking Hats , 1985 .

[23]  Jan Kmenta,et al.  Elements of Econometrics: Second Edition , 1997 .

[24]  Anthony J. Mento,et al.  Mind mapping in executive education: applications and outcomes , 1999 .

[25]  Marilla D. Svinicki,et al.  Practical implications of cognitive theories , 1991 .

[26]  A. Brown Metacognition, executive control, self-regulation, and other more mysterious mechanisms , 1987 .

[27]  J. Flavell Metacognitive aspects of problem solving , 1976 .

[28]  Leonard Peikoff,et al.  Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand , 1991 .

[29]  E. Yalow Educational psychology: A cognitive view. 2nd ed. , 1978 .

[30]  Edwin A. Locke,et al.  The Epistemological Side of Teaching Management: Teaching Through Principles , 2002 .

[31]  Debra K. Meyer,et al.  Cognitive learning strategies and college teaching , 1991 .

[32]  M. Kringelbach Learning to Change , 2004, PLoS biology.

[33]  A. Chickering,et al.  Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education , 1987, CORE.

[34]  J. Flavell Speculations about the nature and development of metacognition , 1987 .