Unveiling Experiential Learning: Saudi Female Undergraduates' Perceptions and Challenges in the Marshmallow Challenge within OB Class

Abstract

The Marshmallow Challenge, a popular activity in classrooms and team-building exercises in offices promotes teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Despite its widespread use, its application within the Saudi educational context remains underexplored. Therefore, this research delves into the experiences and perceptions of 43 Saudi female undergraduate students participating in the Marshmallow Challenge in Organizational Behaviour (OB) class at the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing semi-structured interviews, the study aims to understand the nuances of this experiential learning activity, focusing on teamwork, communication, leadership, collaboration, and related responses. The findings reveal a spectrum of reactions from initial apprehension and nervousness to subsequent collaborative problem-solving and reflection. Ultimately, this research paper contributes to the broader literature on experiential learning in OB education, offering educators actionable insights to optimize student engagement, collaboration, and skill learning.