Engaging Business Students in Online Research and Critical Thinking through
Customized Assignments
Henri MondscheinInformation SpecialistManager, Information Literacy
California Lutheran University
Academic Business Librarians Exchange Southern California
October 24, 2003
About CLU
Total enrollment: 2,949 Undergraduate: 1,891 Graduate: 1,058 Average class size: 15
students Student/faculty ratio: 15:1
California Lutheran University is a diverse, scholarly community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies.
Business Student Enrollment
Undergraduate38746%ADEP
18021%
MBA28433%
Business Education at CLU
MBA professional tracks: – Finance – Information Technology
Management – Management &
Organizational Behavior – Marketing
MBA in Financial Planning & Financial Planning Certificate
One Year International MBA Post MBA Certificate Series
Program
The Challenges
Create engaging & challenging learning environment
Steer students from Google to subscription databases
Develop critical thinking skills Encourage evaluation of
information & sources Facilitate proper citing of sources
Courses & Goals
Courses Goals
Strategic managementOrganization theory
Assess company strategic capabilitiesCompare capabilities with industry rivalsBenchmark firm strengths against industry averages (e.g ratios)
Our Approach: Instruction & Assignments to Reinforce Learning
Management literature: - ABI Inform Company profiles, financials: - Lexis Industry & company reports: - Datamonitor
& Business Insight Industry norms: - D&B Key Business
Ratios
Instruction focuses on advanced database search techniques
Class Exercises
Review criteria for evaluating web information
Introduce McWhortle.com exercise
Students work in pairs identifying flaws
Volunteers share findings with class
Students select company, analyze web site & compare findingsCompany Website Exercise
Assignment: Analyze a Company
Objective: Enhance database searching skills
Key products Key competitors Stock performance Executive bios Vision, mission or goals Industry trends
Analyzing an Organization Exercise
Assignment: Analyze a Company
Objective: Promote critical thinking skills
Comprehension – Describe company’s vision, mission or goals
Analysis - Summarize key initiatives Synthesis - Describe actions to increase
market share or outperform competition Evaluation – Explain rationale for
selecting specific information sources
Adapted from Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives
Pre-instruction Observations
Superficial research Obsolete written
sources Reliance on company
websites Lacking objectivity Minimal critical inquiry,
analysis, assessment & reflection.
Post-Instruction Observations
Embrace database research tools
Improved assignments & papers reflecting use of databases, reputable Web sources
Students like convenience of online resources.
Improved analytical & synthesis skills
Post- Instruction MBA Student Paper
Linking Assignments to ACRL Standards Outcomes
Standard 1: The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed.
Outcomes
--Define information need
--Determine most appropriate databases
--Identify value & differences of sources
Linking Assignments to ACRL Standards Outcomes (cont.)
Standard 2: The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
Outcomes
--Develop a research plan
--Select appropriate keywords, descriptors
--Construct search strategy
Linking Assignments to ACRL Standards Outcomes (cont.)
Standard 3: The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
Outcomes
--Examines & compares information from various sources (Compare databases vs. WWW)--Draws conclusions based upon information gathered (Summarize key strategic initiatives) --Integrates new information with previous information or knowledge (Synthesize research)
Partnering with Business Faculty:Creating Opportunities
Invite yourself to address classes Enlighten your business faculty
about your online resources Review course goals, content &
learning objectives Assess proposed syllabus &
topics Review previous class
assignments -- What can be improved? --Propose an assignment
Align assignment outcomes to course goals & to ACRL standards
What’s Your Idea?
Take the first step to engage business students in enhancing their business research and critical thinking skills. Partner with your business faculty and share your ideas. There’s a lot you can accomplish together!