Competency Development in the Blended and Online Business Learning Environment of the MBA Program at UMUC

Faculty Assistants make a difference!

November 2007

Contributors
Jacob Krive, MBA, MS, Faculty Assistant Lee Ann Graul, MBA, Faculty Assistant Jomarie Bliss, MBA, MS, Faculty Assistant Jane Ross, PhD, Program Director

Outline
Faculty Assistant role FA / Faculty relationship Competency based learning Competencies Challenges / solutions Practical application

Practical application of Faculty Assistants to foster Competency Development

Faculty Assistant Role

FA as first line in student contact:
Close monitoring of student performance Assist with linking competencies to assignments Help students construct their own learning Timely completion of effective assignments Questions or problems with assignment deliverables Effective team work Guidance for working/writing at graduate level

Faculty Assistants / Faculty Team

Open communication and teamwork Faculty Assistants: value and integral role
Instructors and Faculty Assistants maintain transparent communications Work together in student support Course Manager updated on any issues
Proactive stance is best. Prevent problems!

Competency Based Learning

MBA Program Students Instructors Faculty team Competencies

Competency
a knowledge, skill, or attitude that enables one to effectively perform activities of a given occupation or function to the standards expected in employment
4

International Board of Standards for Training and Performance Instruction (IBSTPI)

Competencies
Ethical leadership Teambuilding skills Communication skills Critical thinking Technology fluency
Information

Executive decisions Decision making Systems thinking Diversity/Crosscultural perspectives

literacy/research skills

Competency Selection
Multiple sources
State, University, Faculty team including Executive in Residence and Faculty Assistants

MBA program Faculty bring worldwide experience to competencies needed in this global era Competency-based curriculum is continually enhanced through faculty feedback, new research, and consultation with industry leaders

Competencies
Why are competencies needed? Link real life and assignments
feedback from business community bridge studies and professional development stimulate self reflection and assessment business needs people who are able to apply these critical skills on the job

Competency Characteristics
Competency Based Instruction
Competency goes beyond skill acquisition

Reflects knowledge base and its application Content-Specific Competencies

Different management skills are needed3

Assessment of performance

Demonstration

Acquired skills, abilities, and knowledge

Competencies
Integrative Learning Experiences

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

Developed in the learning process Learning Experiences

Foundation5

Traits and Characteristics

Challenges / Solutions
Diverse student base characterized by range of student preparedness and abilities Students often do not understand competencybased learning and importance of competencies Faculty may not understand competency-based teaching and learning nor how to apply it Faculty Assistants are vital in bridging the gaps

Challenges / Solutions
Inexperience (of faculty and students) in applying competencies to course assignments, discussions, and professional development
- Thinking, Planning, Application, Improvement

At the course level, this is reflected in quality of student work, summaries, and wrap-ups Faculty Assistant involvement is critical to process improvement and their value increases each term

Challenges/Solutions
Connect diverse student-faculty body in an online environment
Use of technology
Example: Elluminate to connect student and faculty around the world

Practical Application
Competencies foster continuous reflection Term-long team case study provides opportunities to practice competency development in relatively risk-free situation Experiences of MBA program alumni

Practical Application
Enhanced learning More self-knowledge Contributes to professional development Fosters thought leadership Real-life experience Student examples of competency value

Value of critical thinking competency applied in my work - Barbara Jones, AMBA 606
I had been trying, literally, for months, to spend some time with our CFO to present some critical insurance proposals. It was incredibly difficult to schedule time with him, and I finally asked for a maximum of 30 minutes. I had to present months of research and proposals, but I did it by creating a bullet-format Executive Summary listing challenges and possible solutions, as well as a corresponding table. Finally, I included a three bullet recap of my recommended solution. The meeting was over in well under 30 minutes and I had his full support. Later he called, complimented me, and thanked me for distilling the facts down to manageable bits of information. I just wanted to let you know that the Executive Summary skills we have practiced this semester can indeed serve us well in our careers.

Lessons Learned and Discussion

Competency development in blended and online business learning environments is hard work for faculty and students alike Practical application in competency-based teaching and learning is enhanced by Faculty Assistants working with students and instructors Discussion - we welcome your views!

References
1. 2. 3. Waner, K. K. (Dec 1995). Business communication competencies needed by employees as perceived by business faculty and business professionals. Business Communication Quarterly, 58 (4). Brown, W. S. (Fall 1998). Power of Self-Reflection through Epistemic Writing (business students evaluating their education). College Teaching p135(1). Chyung, S.Y., Stepich, D., & Cox, D. (2006, Aug/July). Building a competency-based curriculum architecture to educate 21st century. Journal of Education for Business, 81(6), 307-314. Retrieved September 22, 2007 from Education Full-Text Wilson Web database. International Board of Standards for Training and Performance Instruction. (2005). Competencies. Retrieved September 22, 2007 from http:// www.ibstpi.org/ competencies.htm. National Center for Education Statistics. (2002). Defining and assessing learning: Exploring competency-based initiatives (NCES 2002-159). Retrieved September 22, 2007 from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/2002159.pdf.

4. 5.

Competency Development in the Blended and Online Business Learning Environment of the MBA Program at UMUC
Faculty Assistants make a difference!
November 2007