Encouraging intelligent failure in an MBA class

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Wiley
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2022
Authors
Walsh, Christian
Abstract

Failure has an important role to play in learning how to navigate highly uncertain orga- nizational environments. But “failing fast” just for its own sake may in fact undermine learning if not set up or handled correctly. Using failure-based pedagogy, including generative failure, whole-person learning, and entrepreneurial thinking, an MBA course was designed and experienced by 48 students in three instances. Structured around a novel guiding framework of “brains, bravery, and belief,” the course has resulted in highly impactful learning for students. Student experiments are typically based around either exploring an entrepreneurial idea, developing or enhancing a particular skill, or applying skills and knowledge to help improve a societal problem. In each case, stu- dents are supported but also challenged to go beyond their comfort zones and encounter some intelligent failure in the journey. Regular reflection on their experiences, both from a cognitive and an affective perspective, is an essential element built into the course experience. The course, which itself was an experiment and not without its own instructive failures, is now an essential part of the MBA experience.

Description
Citation
Walsh C Encouraging intelligent failure in an MBA class. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education.
Keywords
course design, executive education, experiential learning, pedagogical approaches
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
1301 Education Systems
1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
1303 Specialist Studies in Education
Fields of Research::39 - Education::3901 - Curriculum and pedagogy::390103 - Economics, business and management curriculum and pedagogy
Fields of Research::39 - Education::3904 - Specialist studies in education
Rights
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. © 2022 The Authors. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Decision Sciences Institute