Objectives
In addition to academic subjects, it's important for students to gain experience with skills such as leadership and communication. Let's have a look at some things that Ms. Wise may want to build into her school's business education program.
A business education program must provide students with information about all aspects of business. For example, a program should include courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and management. There's also an expectation that businesspeople should act ethically and, therefore, schools should include business ethics as part of the curriculum.
Almost all businesses participate in the global economy in some way, and Ms. Wise should ensure that the program includes courses in international business. For example, students could learn how an understanding of cultural differences could make or break a business deal. Students also need to consider how factors such as different currency values and cultural practices impact a business' ability to operate successfully.
In addition to taking course work, schools should also aim to educate students in soft skills, or those traits that help us interact with others. Examples of soft skills include leadership skills, communication skills, being a team player, and the ability to adapt to change. Ms. Wise could ensure that both written and oral presentations are part of each course to allow students the opportunity to practice these skills. In addition, schools could provide students with opportunities both within and outside of the classroom to develop their leadership skills. Examples could include participating in clubs and student government and leading class discussions on a particular topic.
A business education program should provide opportunities to make connections to the real world. Students will be more motivated to learn if they understand how they're going to use the knowledge they've acquired in the classroom. For example, Ms. Wise could include case studies in each course to provide students with opportunities to analyze and develop solutions to real problems. In addition, she could offer opportunities for students to work with people in business through mentoring or job shadowing, which involves a short-term, temporary chance to work with someone in the business world.
Lesson Summary
Business education programs involve training students in subjects relevant to the business world such as accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Due to globalization, or the process of creating a global economy where goods, services, and workers flow freely across borders, companies are interacting and competing with companies from all over the world. Business education programs need to incorporate international business concepts into their curriculum to prepare students for the world of work.
In addition to learning the technical information, schools need to work on students' soft skills, or those traits that help us interact with others and include things such as oral and written communication and leadership skills. A business education program should incorporate opportunities for students to develop these skills as well.
Finally, students need opportunities to connect what they're learning in the classroom to the real world. Schools can provide opportunities for mentoring or job shadowing, which involves a short-term, temporary chance to work with someone in the students' field of interest.
