Experiential Learning Design to Teach Global Competencies: Cultivating Creative and Critical Thinking Using Transformative Technologies

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide insights into how an experiential learning approach in tertiary business education can foster core competencies in addressing global challenges. Global grand challenges, such as the future of work, global competitiveness and the impact of climate change on businesses, are highly relevant and contemporary topics that should be addressed in classrooms. Experiential learning (EL) has become an essential pedagogical approach in business education, emphasising the importance of learning through first-hand experience. This method allows students to actively engage with real-world and global grand challenges, fostering core global competencies such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, team collaboration and decision-making. An EL approach encourages the practical application of theoretical concepts in class and enhances active participation. We provide insights from an innovative, large-scale undergraduate business course on how transformative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and digital collaboration tools, can be integrated into an experiential learning framework. These interactive, technology-enhanced learning (TEL) environments can promote core competencies, such as deep engagement, self-reflection and adaptive problem-solving, in addressing global grand challenges. The findings of this study provide insights from participant observations and student reflections on their assessments. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on experiential learning design with emerging digital technologies and offers practical guidelines for curriculum designers, educators and policymakers seeking to equip students for the challenges of digitally transforming the global landscape.