An experiential learning approach to teaching entrepreneurship in business education

This paper makes a case for the use of experiential learning where a team-based project (business venture) functions to create opportunities for learning entrepreneurship capabilities. Specifically, the team-based-experiential instructional strategy provides the platform for student to apply business concepts, practice communication and social skills in a low threat environment. We employed a multi-method qualitative approach (observations and reflective journals) to document students' interactions over a period of 13 weeks. Results indicate that the experiential learning processes enabled student project teams to develop an understanding and appreciation of the entrepreneurial skills needed to run a successful business. The value of this paper lies in the knowledge that experiential learning allows would-be entrepreneurs to predict and explain the behavior of the world around them and to construct expectations for what is likely to occur next.

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ANZAM 2010: 24th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference

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