Using Total Quality Processes and Learning Outcome Assessments to Develop Management Curricula

Abstract

A process was designed to identify what total quality skills should be included in the authors curriculum and howto deliver them. Customer data led the authors to change their focus toward exploring and assessing what they do in the entire curriculum. The emphasis on learning outcomes is a theme in American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business and education reform. The authors summarize things learned that may help others avoid certain pitfalls and build on the authors progress to date.

The Selection of a Business Major: Elements Influencing Student Choice and Implications for Outcomes Assessment

“…The types of graduate degree programs frequently pursued by graduates in each business major and the typical requirements for gaining admission to those graduate programs. Providing this information requires a coordination of admissions, counseling, and business school communications (Drexler & Kleinsorge, 2000;Galotti, 1999). Such coordination is essential to ensure that students are engendering realistic attitudes toward majoring in business and selecting particular business majors, thus increasing the likelihood that they can complete their majors successfully.…”

“…She identified the outcomes activities of a number of institutions, noting the benefits of acquiring feedback from students, for example, and the development of a student handbook. The use of student focus groups also can be included in this category (Drexler & Kleinsorge, 2000;Hamilton, Pritchard, Welsh, Potter, & Saccucci, 2002). As a fundamental element in outcomes assessment, providing coherence in programmatic goals will require input from a broad spectrum of student affairs offices and functions.…”

Using Cross-Cultural Dimensions Exercises to Improve and Measure Learning Outcomes in International Business Courses

“…The more specific business programs are when communicating this information to potential students, the more effectively student selection process will be, leading to higher retention rates. Such an outcome clearly represents a fundamental step in "total quality processes" and better outcomes assessment (Drexler & Kleinsorge, 2000).…”

Assessment to Transform Competency-based Curricula

“…10 Nine articles had some focus on identifying shortterm wins during curricular reform. [13][14][15]19,20,26,[28][29][30] Starting small with pilot projects was deemed effective by several authors. As an example, improvement in student performance on national examinations was confirmed after curricular changes started with 2 pilot projects.…”

“…A shared rubric to assess students' writing performance was developed, and this change was viewed by faculty as a short-term win. 28 Short-term wins were best exemplified by explicit gathering of assessment data. The content analysis of 1 curriculum was a short-term win, as that analysis called for further action via recommendations.…”