Examining an experiential learning approach to prepare students for the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment

• Main Authors: SEOW, Poh Sun, PAN, Gary, KOH, Grace
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2019
• Subjects: experiential learning; VUCA work environment; real world problems; problem-solving skills; Accounting; Educational Methods; Higher Education
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soa_research/1760; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soa_research/article/2787/viewcontent/Paper_Post_Print.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Due to the constantlychanging work environment, there is a need for universities to produce studentswho can adapt in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment.A university in Singapore introduced its UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogyto prepare her students with future work skills to cope with a VUCA work environment.The UNIS-X approach encompasses four principles (project-based learning;interdisciplinarity; close collaboration between faculty and external partners;and active mentoring) in a single course. The aim of this study is to examinethe effectiveness of the UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogy. Although theUNIS-X group has a higher improvement of problem-solving skills compared to thenon-UNIS-X group, the difference was not significant. However, the findingsfrom focus group discussions indicate that students shared positive feedback onthe effectiveness of the UNIS-X pedagogy in developing their cognitive,interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies. Students were positive abouttheir UNIS-X experiential learning journey.