Journal article
Critical Thinking and Organisation Theory: Embedding a process to encourage graduate capabilities
E-Journal of Business Education & Scholarship of Teaching, Vol.4(1), pp.1-10
2010
Abstract
The need for the development of effective business curricula that meets the needs of the marketplace has created an increase in the adoption of core competencies lists identifying appropriate graduate skills. Many organisations and tertiary institutions have individual graduate capabilities lists including skills deemed essential for success. Skills recognised as 'critical thinking' are popular inclusions on core competencies and graduate capability lists. While there is literature outlining 'critical thinking' frameworks, methods of teaching it and calls for its integration into business curricula, few studies actually identify quantifiable improvements achieved in this area. This project sought to address the development of 'critical thinking' skills in a management degree program by embedding a process for critical thinking within a theory unit undertaken by students early in the program. Focus groups and a student survey were used to identify issues of both content and implementation and to develop a student perspective on their needs in thinking critically. A process utilising a framework of critical thinking was integrated through a workbook of weekly case studies for group analysis, discussions and experiential exercises. The experience included formative and summative assessment. Initial results indicate a greater valuation by students of their experience in the organisation theory unit; better marks for mid semester essay assignments and higher evaluations on the university administered survey of students' satisfaction.
Details
- Title
- Critical Thinking and Organisation Theory: Embedding a process to encourage graduate capabilities
- Authors
- Erica French (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyNoel Tracey (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- E-Journal of Business Education & Scholarship of Teaching, Vol.4(1), pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Australian Business Education Research Association
- Date published
- 2010
- ISSN
- 1835-9132
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2010 EJBEST. Reproduced with permission of the publisher.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99733797202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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