Student Aptitude and Management Knowledge—The Management Skill Inventory Bridge

Abstract

Introductory management courses often are presented as knowledge-based studies. Although students may have limited work experience, they possess considerable life experiences and aptitude that can be used as a starting point for management knowledge. Prior to formal exposure to such issues as planning and leadership, the author asks students to complete self-assessment tests, allowing students to name and quantify their latent abilities and to use the classroom setting to build on this self-discovered knowledge. This article explores the use of this self-assessment technique in the classroom and its implications for learning.