The Pitfalls, And Potential, Of Actual Events as Problem Drivers

Abstract

As teaching moves into the 21st century, students increasingly demand to see relevance in their education. In response, there has been an increase in application of ongoing events and actual data in curriculum design. Relying on the actual business environment, however, generates some major concerns for both faculty and students. Using three mini-case examples of major exercises de-signed ex ante based on anticipated co-operation of the actual international business environment with the development of student learning through problem-based exercises, this paper highlights some of the major pitfalls which result from using such exercises. In conclusion, the paper argues that despite the pitfalls, major contributions are made to both student learning and student motivation through direct interaction with the dynamic nature of the current international business environment.