Teaching Methods

Student-Centered Instruction (SCI)

Active learning methods utilized in the LIM College MBA program are techniques that enable you to generate knowledge rather than simply receive it. You are responsible for material not explicitly discussed in class. In a traditional classroom, the teacher's primary teaching method is lecturing; in active learning the teacher provides you with opportunities to learn independently and from peers, while receiving coaching. This method involves “hands-on,” experience-based learning.
Lecture-based methods are much less effective than SCI. You’ll retain, on average, only 20% of a lecture as opposed to the up to 80% retention rate from active learning methods. Active learning methods give you a jump-start and cut your after-class studying time in half.
The student-centered methods below are used in the LIM College MBA program and aim to engage you in active participation and to stimulate your perception, which eventually affects your cognition and behavior. Also, these methods stimulate higher orders of thinking such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Active learning methods

Think - Pair - Share (TPS) 
You will be given a theme to think about. It can be a topic from a newspaper or book, or a controversial statement. In one session, the same theme can be used several times by different presenters.

Writing Assignments
You will take five minutes to write on a topic and then share the writing by giving a brief presentation.

Minute Papers
Approximately 15 minutes before the end of class, you’ll write answers to the following questions:

• What is the most important thing I learned today?
• What important questions remain unanswered?
• What is the least understood subject or concept?

Brainstorming
You may be asked to introduce a topic or problem and then quickly give your ideas / solutions.

Games
Group competitions, including solving puzzles, can be a very effective way to foster learning.

Debates
Debates are particularly appropriate for graduate students. Debates are staged discussions where half of the class is for the subject and the other half is against the subject. During preparations you may not know which side you will have to take.

Mapping
The graphical representation of the entire course, or just a class, helps you follow your progress and gives you the sense of the goal to be achieved.

In-Class Reading
Newspaper or journal articles read in class followed by brief presentation or discussion

Home Assignments
Newspaper or journal articles read and prepared at home for in-class presentation or discussion

Case Studies and Group work
Most of the above-mentioned methods will take place in groups. Generally, case studies are used for homework assignments.