Exploring the impact of multi-class teams in an immersive learning environment on student learning experience and engagement

Abstract

This project examines student learning experience and engagement utilising both multi-class interdisciplinary teams in an immersive learning environment to address the need for a strong subject-oriented business core education while breaking down the silos to reflect the integrative and interdependent nature of corporate working environments in business school education. The interdisciplinary teams were formed from students across two courses in a business school: Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Managerial Accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The immersive learning environment simulated a working environment where members of the Accounting department worked with members of the production, sales and information technology (IT) departments in a make-to-order manufacturing company. The students worked together to adjust their company operations in response to changing market demands and fluctuating raw materials costs in multiple simulation rounds. The student assessments indicated positive learning experiences and engagement working in multi-class interdisciplinary teams in an immersive learning environment.