Consultant Learning: A Model for Student Directed Learning Scott W. Kunkel University of San Diego © 2003 Scott W. Kunkel

Consultant Learning Empowers students and places them in control of your own learning process. Turns the classroom into a laboratory for the free enterprise system, using price as the allocation mechanism for grades earned. Changes the grading dimension: –from quality of work performed –to quantity of excellent quality work performed.

In the Traditional Course All students do the same quantity of work. Grading based on quality: –excellent quality = “A” –mediocre quality = “B” –poor quality = “C” Poor quality work is accepted and the grade is reduced.

In Consultant Learning All accepted work is excellent quality. Work that is not excellent quality is redone until it is excellent quality. Grading is based on the quantity of excellent quality work the student performs. Every student produces work of which he/she can be proud.

In Consultant Learning Students must redo unprofessional work. Students compile their work in a portfolio. The portfolio can be used for job search. The students’ completed portfolios are submitted at the end of the semester. The amount earned determines course grade: –Turns classroom into mini-economy. –Mimics real-world consulting environment.

Theoretical Foundation “Mastery Learning” by Bloom (‘71, ‘81). Bloom said education should no longer be about “weeding out” students. The normal curve is a valid predictor of random events, not purposeful events. Learning is a purposeful event.

Theoretical Foundation “Mastery Learning” is a model that must be implemented across an entire curriculum. Consultant Learning can be implemented in a single class without changing the assessment and grading standards of an entire institution.

Theoretical Foundation “Problem-Based Learning” sometimes called “Project-Based Learning” (Bridges, ‘92). Builds educational objectives into projects. Students complete the projects that require fulfillment of the learning objectives. “Problem-based learning... fits exceptionally well in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning and teaching styles” (Glasgow, ‘97).

The Consultant Learning Process You design projects based on your own interests. For each project, you must submit a proposal explaining what you wish to do. You assign a consulting fee to each project using the Suggested Projects booklet. If the proposal and the fee are approved, you are authorized to do the project.

The Proposal Proposal includes 9 items: –1. Type of project –2. Topic –3. Rationale –4. Research Method –5. Output/Report Method –6. Perspective and Audience –7. Consulting Hours –8. Consulting Fee –9. Due Date

Possible Family Business Projects Family Business History ($3,000) Business Family Genogram ($2,000) Resume and Cover Letter Project ($1,000) Book Executive Summary Project ($1,000-$2,500) Case Summary ($400 - $1,000) Current Events Analysis ($200 - $800) “Presentational” Speech ($400 - $1,000) Interview the Owner or Junior Member of a Family Business ($2,000 - $3,000) Family Business Forum Meeting ($2,000) Student Designed Project (Up to $5,000)

Possible Small Business Projects The Business Disc computer simulation ($4,000) A Major Team Small Business Analysis (Up to $10,000) –(a group of related projects) Book Executive Summary Project ($1,000-$2,500) Resume and Cover Letter Project ($1,000) Case Summary ($400-$1,000) Current Events Analysis ($400-$800) Presentational Speech ($400-$1,000) Interview of a Small Business Owner ($2,000-$3,000) Attendance at a Professional Meeting ($2,000) Student Designed Project (Up to $5,000)

Possible Entrepreneurship Projects New Venture Feasibility Analysis ($2,000) New Venture PowerPoint Presentation (up to $10,000) Resume and Cover Letter Project ($1,000) Book Executive Summary Project ($1,000-$2,500) Case Analysis Project ($500-$1,000) Current Event Analysis Project ($500) Presentational Speech Project ($500) Interviewing an Entrepreneur ($2,000) Interviewing a Service Professional ($2,000) Entrepreneurial Key Contact File ($1,000-$2,000) Student Designed Project (Up to $5,000)

Possible Strategic Mgmt. Projects Team Computer Simulation ($6,000 + oral report fees) Major Company Strategic Analysis (up to $10,000) Business History ($3,000) Resume and Cover Letter Project ($1,000) Book Executive Summary Project ($1,000-$3,000) Case Analysis Project ($400-$1,000) Current Event Analysis Project ($200-$800) Presentational Speech Project ($400-$1000) Interviewing an Owner/Executive ($2,000-$3,000) Attendance at a Professional Meeting ($2,000) Student Designed Project (Up to $5,000)

The Project When the project is submitted, it is either approved or returned to be redone. If project is returned, you must rewrite the project and resubmit it. This process continues until the project is judged to be of “professional quality” and, therefore, acceptable.

The Project When the project is accepted, the agreed-upon fee is marked Paid (for example, “PAID $2,000”) and it is given back to you. There are no partial fees - the project is either professional quality or it is not - it is either paid or returned to be rewritten and resubmitted.

The Project When a project is paid, it is returned to you (I keep no records). You put paid projects in your portfolio.

Pay for In-Class Work You are also paid for attending class. –A fee schedule is in the Student Guide to CL. “Call-on-Me” list pays you for being prepared to discuss the readings. –Sign “Call-on-Me” means you are prepared and I can call on you without you raising your hand. –“Call on Me” list pays you a fee for each class you sign it.

The Portfolio At the end of semester, you will put two accounting sheets on top of the portfolio showing what you have earned. You submit the portfolio to me. I “audit” the portfolio to make sure that the accounting sheet is accurate. I assign the grade based on how much you have earned during the semester.

Undergraduate Grading Scale Undergraduate grades are assigned on the following scale: –$25,000 = A $15,000 = C + –$23,000 = A - $13,000 = C –$21,000 = B + $11,000 = C - –$19,000 = B Less than $11,000 = F –$17,000 = B -

Graduate Grading Scale Graduate grades are assigned on the following scale: –$30,000 = A $21,000 = C + –$28,000 = A - $19,000 = C –$26,000 = B + $17,000 = C - –$24,000 = B Less than $17,000 = F –$22,000 = B -

Important Skills Students Learn Defining a question in researchable terms Identifying information sources Collecting information Organizing information into a readable, professional quality report Writing a report that will be useful to others.

Important Skills Students Learn You learn these skills by doing them: – with guidance and coaching from me –including discussions in class

Examples of Student Projects Reviewed franchises then bought MBE. Proposal to start an R & R band’s fan club, and they hired him. Proposal to manage a country band, and they hired him. “SnoAds,” ecologically sensitive advertising in the snow at ski resorts. Proposal for family to expand family farm. Surfing theme-park.

Pros Student centered - highly motivating to students. Uses money/economics concepts to motivate behavior - it’s “real world.” Students benefit from rewriting. Course design is extremely flexible. Motivates students to work for high grades.

Student Reactions Students generally love the Consultant Learning approach. It is motivating and interesting. Two complaints from student are: –The Consultant Learning approach places too much responsibility on students. –It is too easy to procrastinate.

Consultant Learning - Summary Empowers students and places them in control of their own learning process. Turns the classroom into a laboratory for the free enterprise system, using price as the allocation mechanism for grades earned. Changes the grading dimension: –from quality of work performed –to quantity of excellent quality work performed.

Consultant Learning: A Model for Student Directed Learning Scott W. Kunkel University of San Diego © 2003 Scott W. Kunkel