Article: Active learning in an undergraduate management science course through the use of a mobile computer lab Journal: International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education (IJIOME) 2009 Vol.3 No.2 pp.104 - 118 Abstract: Our business school|s undergraduate degree program includes a required spreadsheet management science course taught at the third-year level. Employers, faculty and students consistently indicated that this course was not successful in teaching management science or even basic spreadsheet modelling skills. To improve students| understanding and retention of the course content, we purchased and implemented a |mobile computer lab| that could be set up in a regular classroom. We discuss how the lab supported a change to active learning, in which informal student groups would |discover| management science techniques, and we provide some examples of the exercises we have incorporated in the course. For instructors who are interested in implementing a mobile lab, we also provide details on the infrastructure of the lab, costs, software and hardware security, and classroom logistics. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Active learning in an undergraduate management science course through the use of a mobile computer lab

Authors: Janice B. Eliasson, Brent R. Snider, Diane P. Bischak

Addresses: Operations Management Area, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada. ' Operations Management Area, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada. ' Operations Management Area, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

Abstract: Our business school|s undergraduate degree program includes a required spreadsheet management science course taught at the third-year level. Employers, faculty and students consistently indicated that this course was not successful in teaching management science or even basic spreadsheet modelling skills. To improve students| understanding and retention of the course content, we purchased and implemented a |mobile computer lab| that could be set up in a regular classroom. We discuss how the lab supported a change to active learning, in which informal student groups would |discover| management science techniques, and we provide some examples of the exercises we have incorporated in the course. For instructors who are interested in implementing a mobile lab, we also provide details on the infrastructure of the lab, costs, software and hardware security, and classroom logistics.

Keywords: active learning; mobile lab; spreadsheet management science; undergraduate education; computers; laptops; management science; mobile computer lab; informal student groups; business education; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIOME.2009.031034

International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education, 2009 Vol.3 No.2, pp.104 - 118

Received: 26 Aug 2009
Accepted: 10 Sep 2009
Published online: 18 Jan 2010 *

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Title: Active learning in an undergraduate management science course through the use of a mobile computer lab

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