Using Classroom Competitions to Prepare Students for the Competitive Business World

Laurel Powell

October 2014

Authors

• Fay Y. Gibson

• Doris H. Kincade

• Pamela Y. Frasier

• North Carolina State University

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Goals

• Using classroom competition and to promote active learning.

• Business Partners

• Fashion Majors

Active Learning

• Active learning is very popular in business fields

• Active Learning in the Fashion Field• Interaction with Consultants and Clients

• Teamwork

Competition in the Classroom

• Reality Television

• Engaging and Motivating

• Business Schools

• Cooperation

• Concerns over negative and hostile environment

The Course

• Original course• Lectures

• Short Reports

• Projects

• Redesign• Competing Teams

• Research and Projects

• Industry Based Projects

Team Selection

• Teams of 3 to 5

• Self-selected

• Composition impacts teamwork

• Student formed is preferable to instructor formed

• Peer Evaluations

Peer Evaluation

• Ten Criteria• Attending meetings, communication, punctuality, quality work,

ideas contributed

• 4 point scale

Component 1

• Investigating a Product Specific Market

• Analyzing a Specific Market Segment

• Conducting Brand Analysis Research

• Concluded with creating a new product line for an existing brand

Component 2

• Genius Bar• Alumni with national companies

• Local Businesses, Marketing Agencies, Trade Organizations, Government Agencies

• Resource Librian

Component 3

• Competition Process • Evaluation of Projects from Component 1

• Accumulation of Points

• Final Competition between the six highest scoring teams

Evaluation

• Instructor Evaluation• All projects

• Not shared

• Panel Evaluation• Drawn from “Genius Bar”

• Top Six

Results

• Student Evaluations• Frequent negative comments over team member lateness or poor

work

• Positive comments were praise for extra work or willingness to work

• Students were enthusiastic over the Genius Bar and data collection. Useful for resume expansion and future projects.

• Better understanding in later courses.

Results

• Higher grades throughout• Fewer A’s

• More B’s

• No C, D or F

• More in depth work and enthusiasm from students

Conclusion

• Facilities teamwork

• Cooperation

• Improved Understanding

Questions?Thank You!