Academic engagement through active participation
Academic engagement through active participation in instructional activities related to the course objectives is paramount to your success in this course and future courses. Through interaction with your instructor and classmates, you will explore the course material and be provided with the best opportunity for objective and competency mastery. To begin this class, review the course objectives for each Topic, and then answer the following questions as this will help guide your instructor for course instruction.
1. Which weekly objectives do you have prior knowledge of and to what extent?
2. Which weekly objectives do you have no prior knowledge of?
3. What course-related topics would you like to discuss with your instructor and classmates? What questions or concerns do you have about this course?
Sample Solution
I have prior knowledge of some of the weekly objectives in this course such as studying how to understand and use data, application of decision-making techniques, and usage of quantitative methods. I can confidently say that my understanding on these topics is at an intermediate level compared to other students in the class; however, there are still areas where I would like to strengthen my foundation.
On the other hand, there are many topics within this course that I have no prior knowledge on including economic forecasting models, financial statement analysis and cost accounting principles. While I am familiar with what they encompass conceptually, I do not feel confident enough to apply them in a practical context just yet.
In terms of further discussions with my instructor and classmates, there are multiple topics that come to mind. Primarily, I would like to discuss any tips or strategies for better organizing my material so it is easier for me to recall when necessary during exams or assignments. Additionally, considering the role technology plays in today’s business environment when utilizing quantitative methods for problem-solving scenarios – what tools exist outside the traditional classroom setting should we be aware of? Furthermore, since this course covers a wide range of subject matter from different angles - how might one go about achieving mastery over all concepts without sacrificing quality?
Finally - given our current global health crisis – how has managing organizations changed due to COVID-19 pandemic? What strategic changes were implemented by businesses worldwide post lockdown? How did larger companies respond versus smaller ones? All these questions intrigue me greatly and could potentially lead interesting conversations with both my instructor and peers alike.