STUDENT PORTFOLIOS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, Volume 30, 2003 STUDENT PORTFOLIOS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION Student Portfolios in Business Education at Ashland University Paul Harmych Ashland University pharmych@ashland.edu Brandi Simpson Ashland University bsimpson@ashland.edu Renee Myers Ashland University rmyers@ashland.edu Beverly Heimann Ashland University bheimann@ashland.edu Abstract It is planned that all four co-authors of this paper (three undergraduate students and one faculty member) will be present for the panel discussion. We estimate that our presentation will be approximately 15-20 minutes in length with no special equipment required. Student portfolios are an effective and innovative assessment technique that provide distinct and valuable benefits to students, instructors, and prospective employers. Attendees to this panel discussion will learn how portfolios were successfully integrated into a business organization course. Section 2 Student portfolios consist of a collection of student work that demonstrates student skills and abilities over time. Portfolios can be used to showcase examples of a student’s best work or they can be used to demonstrate progression in learning and skill mastery (Riegle & Shackelford, 1994). Portfolios are a very useful pedagogical tool when closely linked to educational outcomes (Pool, 2001) Interactive session (panel discussion): Section 1 The objective of our panel discussion is to illustrate how student portfolios were integrated successfully into a business management course at Ashland University. Three undergraduate business students will explain examples of their portfolios and describe the benefits and learning outcomes associated with them. Student portfolios have valuable benefits for the student, the instructor, and potential employers. In a study that investigated portfolio assignments at the college level, a majority of students reported that the portfolio experience was a powerful learning tool (LaBoskey, 2000). Pool (2001) describes that creating portfolios assists students in reflective learning, aids in integrating and synthesizing material from various courses, and encourages them to incorporate life experiences into their collection of assignments. The target audience is anyone with an interest in assessment in general or portfolios specifically. Given the recent popularity of portfolios as a developmental and assessment tool, the authors/presenters would anticipate that the topic would have particular appeal to educators and students alike. Business executives similarly would have an interest in drawing closer linkages between portfolio assignments and real life business experiences. The value of portfolios to the instructor is significant as well. Zahn & Rajkumar (1996) discuss how portfolios can be used as an assessment instrument, to evaluate course 120 mailto:pharmych@ashland.edu mailto:bsimpson@ashland.edu mailto:rmyers@ashland.edu mailto:bheimann@ashland.edu Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, Volume 30, 2003 effectiveness, to foster collaboration between student and instructor, and to increase opportunities for integration of knowledge and skills. Student portfolios enhance the overall curriculum and “are an innovative instructional and assessment tool in measuring educational outcomes” (Pool, 2001). Prospective employers also benefit. Portfolios are very helpful during job interviews because they demonstrate and support student claims of accomplishments during their educational programs (Boyatzis, 1994). Assignments showcased in the portfolio often illustrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills (Zahn & Rajkuman, 1996) which are high on the list of importance with today’s employers. Section 3 Student presenters will be able to display and discuss their business organization portfolios during our panel session. The subject areas included in their portfolios are: :resume, leverage buyout technique, discounted earnings approach, structural dimensions, stakeholder approach, goals and strategies, fundamentals of organization structure, service business technology, organizational lifecycle, improving technological competitive position using the Haber R&D portfolio, organizational culture, and learning organizations. For each section, the students will define the purpose of the section, give a brief overview of the topic and provide specific examples of typical assignments. Attendees will learn how the portfolio assignment was linked to learning objectives and course outcomes and be provided with a description of how a portfolio assignment was successfully implemented in a business management course that integrated course content, skill building, and real world application. References Boyatzis, R.E. (1994). Simulating self-directed learning through the managerial assessment and development course. Journal of Management Education, 18, 304- 323. LaBoskey, V.K. (2000). Portfolios here, portfolios there… Phi Delta Kappan, 81. Pool, S.W. (2001). Designing and measuring educational outcomes utilizing student portfolios for business management education. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 28, 50-59. Riegle, P. & Shackelford, R. (1994, November) Student portfolios. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching. Oxford, OH. Zahn, S.B. & Rajkumar, T.M. (1996). Incorporation of student portfolios in the TQM classroom. International Journal of Instructional Media, 23, 327-341. 121 Table of Contents Volume 30, 2003 The Optimal Timing For Introducing Business Simulations Can Handicapped Students Access Your Class Web Site? The Competition Game: Decision Making In A Dynamic Environment Pan-Pacific Enterprises: Strategic Decision Making Simulation Study Of Stochastic Channel Redistribution The Impact Of Business War Games: Quantifying Training Effectiveness Experiential Learning: Introducing Faculty And Staff To A University Leadership Development Program The Feasibility Of The Balanced Scorecard For Business Games A Misuse Of Pims For The Validation Of Marketing Management Simulation Games Incorporating Technology Into The 21st Century Classroom: Are We Facilitating Academic Dishonesty? Improving The Effectiveness Of Peer Evaluations The Use Of A Simulation In An Integrated Mba Curriculum Student Portfolios In Business Education Student Portfolios In Business Education At Ashland University Using SAP ERP Technology To Integrate The Undergraduate Business Curriculum Board Games And Teaching Textile Marketing And Finance Blogging: A New Threat To Student Research? The Way We Talk! Take II Strategic Management: An Evaluation Of The Use Of Three Learning Methods In Hong Kong Adoption Of Discussion-Based Teaching And Assessment In Teaching Strategic Management In Hong Kong The Tobin Q As A Company Performance Indicator Using Representative Nominal Group Technique For Course Review And An Interactive Solicitation Of Ways To Enhance Absel's Image Making Teaching Matter: The Art And Science Of Teaching Business Communication Beyond Sex, Age, And Race: Exploring The Deeper Contents Of Diversity Teaching & Learning The Facilitation Process A Brief On Debriefing: What It Is And What It Isn't Changing Perceptions Of The Importance Of Leadership: The Contribution Of Individual Spirit Harmonics In Leadership Knowledge, Skills And Sustainable Values In Learning Organizations: Some Implications From The Multicultural Virtual Classroom Challenges Of Teaching Undergraduate Organizational Behavior In A Nontraditional Time Format Interactive Online Positioning With The Web-Based Product Positioning Map Graphics Package The Longitudinal Effects Of Entrepreneurship Training On Risk Tolerance: A Look At Similarities And Differences Between Male And Female Undergraduate Students Revisiting Strategy Learning In A Total Enterprise Simulation What Are Simulations For?: Learning Objectives As A Simulation Selection Device Gaming Agency Markets Cooperate For Profits Or Compete For Market? Study Of Oligopolistic Pricing With A Business Game The Design Of A Business Simulation Using A System-Dynamics-Based Approach Modeling The Product Development Function For An Entrepreneurial Firm Simulation Performance And Forecast Accuracy? Is That All? Business Manager Identification Of Competitors In Real World And Simulation Settings Monte Carlo Simulation Analysis On The Costs Reduction Argument Of Interest Rate Swaps Ebiz Game: A Scalable Online Business Simulation Game For Entrepreneurship Training A Model For Online Education Delivery And A Look At Online Delivery Effectiveness Incorporating "Company Reputation" into Total Enterprise Simulations The Genesis And Future Of The Absel "Classicos" Initiative