The author has written a class activity based on real life experience. After sitting through many years of unproductive and frustrating team meetings, the author decided to incorporate those experiences into a simulated exercise that could be incorporated during classes that include a chapter(s) on teams and /or teamwork. The goal of the activity…

This article outlines a unique student activity designed to close the gap between students' perceived and actual communication and team behavior during virtual group meetings. The Communication Audit exercise requires that students record an online small group meeting and then review the recording while categorizing each verbal remark into…

This multiphase classroom exercise is designed for undergraduate students in capstone strategic management courses to become comfortable and adept at using Porter's Five Forces framework for industry analysis. Assuming students have a base level of familiarity with the framework, this exercise enables them to apply it to an industry and a company…

This article explains an activity that can be conducted to form teams in university business classes. It allows students to actively participate in the team selection process and learn valuable human resource management skills. Students are placed in the role of hiring managers. They have to identify the skills and characteristics needed to…

Considers that to prepare students to thrive in a group project environment, educators need to teach them effective teamwork and communication skills. Describes two tools that can help accomplish this task, the electronic discussion board and the chat room. Concludes that these tools can be a tremendous aid for faculty to address group project…

The Swift Trust exercise provides instructors with the opportunity to discuss the issues of managing trust and distrust perceptions in a team-based design. Lewicki, McAllister, and Bies's (1998) framework is used to allow students to experience the difficulties of deriving a common set of contract requirements based on team dynamics and…

If the instructor carefully plans for formation of small groups and the writing sessions, group writing in a business communications course offers such advantages as rapid feedback, peer response, and a variety of evaluative comments. Small group sessions in composing, evaluating, and synthesizing are described. (MF)

Uses the metaphor of music to explore the dynamics of team-based learning. Suggests creative ways to diagnose team problems using melody, harmony, dynamics, tempo, and rhythm. Appendices provide a diagnostic instrument and interventions for various attributes. (SK)

Modification of an approach to teaching organizational behavior that has students create and operate actual companies include providing thought starters to stimulate evaluation; changing the way group leaders are selected; requiring a business plan, performance appraisal, and feedback system; adding textbooks; and using team-building activities.…

Describes the Race Challenge, an exercise requiring business students to participate on cross-functional teams and compare collaborative and competitive behavior. Presents issues addressed, materials required, variations, discussion questions, and debriefing instructions. (SK)

Intended for educators who work with or plan to establish a school-based enterprise (SBE) in their school, this guide provides tools and strategies to establish and operate an SBE that provides a context for students to learn a range of academic and career-oriented skills. Section 1 suggests steps educators can take to help their enterprise--an…

This publication identifies 20 subjects appropriate for use in a competency list for the occupation of accounting specialist, 1 of 12 occupations within the business/computer technologies cluster. Each unit consists of a number of competencies; a list of competency builders is provided for each competency. Titles of the 20 units are as follows:…

This article introduces a variation on the egg-drop exercise to generate active understanding of strategic choice by firms. Teams are challenged to design, build, and price devices for protecting an egg from a 20-foot drop. The materials are purchased in a bidding process that builds in asymmetries in resources, costs, and finished designs. Teams…

This publication contains 19 subjects appropriate for use in a competency list for the occupation of financial management assistant, 1 of 12 occupations within the business/computer technologies cluster. Each unit consists of a number of competencies; a list of competency builders is provided for each competency. Titles of the 19 units are as…

This publication contains 16 subjects appropriate for use in a competency list for the occupation of microcomputer applications specialist, 1 of 12 occupations within the business/computer technologies cluster. Each unit consists of a number of competencies; a list of competency builders is provided for each competency. Titles of the 16 units are…