Practical Organizational Behavior Education (Probe): Modifications and Innovations

Abstract

This design involves having students create actual companies and focuses all classroom attention on the interpersonal processes of managing a small group. This article describes modifications made to Nirenberg's model that were stimulated by feedback from our culturally diverse student body. Our modifications and innovations include: (a) providing “thought starters” to help students evaluate their course experiences, (b) changing the method of selecting group leaders, (c) requiring a business plan for the project, (d) requiring teams to develop a performance appraisal and feedback system for assessing members, (e) adding the use of textbooks, and (f) using several team-building activities during the semester.

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