Breaking Stereotype in the Development of Employability Skills Using Flexible Learning and Pedagogical Tools: A Multiple Study of Business Schools

Abstract

The study sought to explore students’ and teachers' perspectives on the development of 21st-century employability skills for business students in four different countries through flexible learning pedagogical tools and approaches. Notwithstanding the notable successes recorded in the field of flexible learning over the years, some people are still wondering about the effectiveness of these teaching and learning tools when compared to students being on campus for studies. This study helps to establish the importance of flexible learning pedagogical tools in the development of employability skills for students in business schools across four different continents. The current study argues that flexible learning pedagogical tools should be paid more attention to by higher education providers to encourage and deepen students' learning experience in business schools. The study has shown that some pedagogical tools are more effective in the flexible learning environment than the traditional universities, due to the level of acceptability by the students and academics sampled for this study. Moreover, the use of pedagogical tools such as lectures, class debates, group projects, case studies, internships, technology-embedded tools such as smartphones or iPads, multiple-choice tests, essay tests and term papers were found to be effective and fit for purpose by most of the participants. They linked the level of effectiveness to the employability skills they offer along with factors such as students’ preferences, learning styles, prior learning, motivation, academic choice based on their previous experiences or willingness to deliver certain pedagogical tools, assessment methods, learning cultural aspects and the backgrounds of both academics and students along with where the learning is taking place. It identifies the key tools used within a flexible learning environment such as lectures and especially videos of lectures uploaded on Moodle for the students to access at any time and anywhere (accessibility of learning materials). The study findings revealed role play, case studies, class discussion, group projects, guest speakers, internships, MCQs/essays/term papers, reading, and homework were efficient post-COVID learning in fostering 21st-century employability skills for business students. Also, due to the flexible nature of teaching and learning technology embedded tools such as social media, mobile devices, games, and simulation are becoming more and more popular and adopted by various academics in their teaching pedagogy. The effectiveness of the learning and teaching tools relies on the employability skills undergraduate students develop during their studies. Most of the students and academics sampled for this study were satisfied with the delivery of the course delivery and the level of employability skills developed from them. The main challenge of educators is to identify the key link between pedagogical tools and employability skills they develop and utilise to promote 21st-century graduate skill sets. The current research project confirmed that the flexible learning approach leverages the benefits of pedagogy and learning technology to offer an engaging, educative, and bespoke learning experience that assists business students to realise their potential. It is recommended that learning providers construct and evaluate learning infrastructures, policies, and practices to provide inclusive and accessible learning opportunities that promote successful learner engagement and belonging, to guarantee a positive experience in business schools.