Lecturers at leading business schools are using keypads to:
- engage their audiences
- assess comprehension levels
- stimulate debate
- improve learning outcomes
- achieve learning objectives
- structure and support case study usage
- ease their marking burden
- improve course ratings
- gather data for research purposes.
In an interactive world, the traditional "chalk and talk" or even case studies are insufficient to keep students engaged. The benefits of response systems are numerous and well documented (see links and references). However, selection, adoption and deployment can be a daunting prospect both for IT and audio-visual departments and for lecturers. ABT can provide guidance and support on response system selection and deployment considerations.
In the classroom, keypad usage can induce different student behaviours and outcomes, depending on how the clickers are allocated, as well as on what sort, how and when questions are posed.
ABT advises on these techniques at various international business schools and on using keypads to assist in the use of, or adoption of, case study teaching.
For an even more participative classroom experience, ABT has developed a variety of business models and simulations that use keypads to gather opinions and data during hands-on in-class activities. Current models and simulations include:
- Goffee and Jones corporate culture model (Character of a Corporation)
- Supply chain design and function ("Impulse")
- The Nash Equilibrium in market economics ("Oligopoly")
- "Discovery," a complete micro-business in the classroom which can address operational, leadership, change management, business improvement, organisational behaviour, consulting, IT and many other facets of general management.
Models and simulations can be run by ABT staff, or by educators themselves, with or without ABT staff in support. ABT also offers a range of hardware sale or rental options and is adept at developing bespoke interactive exercises to address specific topics.