ERIC Number: ED625104
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 167
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8027-1567-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Experiential Learning in Higher Education Business Programs: A Qualitative Case Study of Faculty Perceptions
Farris, Rachel L.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Frostburg State University
Experiential learning (EL) is often perceived as valuable to education and prioritized in higher education curricula. The value of EL from the student perspective has been researched, but few have explored faculty perspectives in business programs. The purpose of this study was to explore faculty perceptions of the meaning of EL, implementation process, and experiential learning activities (ELAs) included in business curricula. Increasing our understanding of the benefits and limitations of the approach may modify EL efforts in business degree programs and other disciplines, enhance higher education programs, and discover ways to provide robust learning experiences to all students. A qualitative approach was used to explore the perceptions of 10 faculty members from four departments within the business discipline at a single university. Data collection methods included a brief survey, interviews, and syllabus review. The findings revealed that all faculty defined EL as an action of learning by doing but some also described the concept as a cognitive relation of content and theory to real-world examples. Variations in how faculty perceived the meaning of EL in relation to perceived value to students, faculty, administrators, and outside entities were also identified. Factors that influence EL implementation in curricula were noted as course attributes, student learning outcomes, student attributes, resource availability, and faculty preference of EL practice. An analysis of syllabi using Heinrich and Green's (2020) model of Design-Instruction-Assessment-Learning (DIAL) revealed that the curricula fostered an EL approach, and further illustrated how the model can be used as a framework for analyzing curricula. ELAs were identified in all syllabi reviewed and interview transcripts. The activities identified were reviewed and indicated as experiential based on the participant's direction indication, Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory (ELT), Dewey's (1938) meaning of EL, and the learner actions by Butler et al. (2019). [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Experiential Learning, Business Administration Education, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Learning Activities, Educational Benefits, Course Descriptions, Instructional Design, Learning Theories, Case Studies
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
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Language: English
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