Apr 12, 2023 1

Deploying an Online eBusiness Simulation as an

Integrated Project for Undergraduate Business Students:

A Pilot Programme

Audrey Stenson and Conor HeagneyDepartment of Business & Enterprise

IADT, Kill Avenue,Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Tony Redmond Department of Computer Science

Trinity College Dublin

EDTECH 2008, Dundalk, May 2008

Apr 12, 2023 2

Batchelor of Business in Enterprise

4th year of a 10 year evolution move from 30% CA to 78% CA

Programme learning outcomes

Emphasis on ‘learning by doing’/reflection

Integrated projects (integrated learning) encourage and assess student learning in a ‘safe’ academic

environment relatively ‘real-life’ simulations

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The Virtual Trading Project

Promotes applied learning in a real-world eCommerce situationHosted in the Management of Information Systems subjectFour subjects linked to this project: accounting, communications,

organisational behaviour and MIS

Project learning outcomes:a) to understand how an eBusiness can run b) to be aware of potential digital business opportunitiesc) to solve problems in unstructured ‘real world’ environments d) to integrate learning from different subjects in solving

problems e) to improve group work skills

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The Virtual Trading Project

The students were required to: research online trading source suitable products to sell online pitch for funding including a formal written and oral

application plan and prepare for trading i.e. set up bank accounts,

organise 3V cards, set up eBay and Paypal accounts trade for a period of 6 weeks produce a report detailing activity on the project over

the course of the academic year

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The Virtual Trading Project – Groups and Items

Group Name Items

KSL231 Irish handmade jewellery

Booksbitsand bobs Books and paintings

Misfresin Irish Rugby Memorabilia

Puristproductions2007 ‘The Purist' (Irish DJ) merchandise

Mcmenterprise2007 Contemporary outdoor wall mounted ashtray

Sell4 You2008 Items donated by family, friends, staff and peers

08BSB Electronics: magic eye/sky link

Nblenterprises New Costumes

Funkyjunk2008 Items donated by family, friends, staff and peers

Canvasiadt Original spray painted clothing items

Bc87dub Car stereo equipment

Vingavin2805898 Second hand electronics

You_know_it_ltd Funny/humour T-Shirts

Galvo87 Montana Spray Paint

Naroy86 Personalised Calendars

Apr 12, 2023 6

The Virtual Trading Project – Student Feedback

Challenges to selling items online: eBay.ie feedback rating item not suitable for selling online target market initial listing prices too high

Problems encountered by groups: “It is harder to sell an item online than one might imagine” “Research is vitally important when selling on eBay and I just think we didn’t

research to the full capability that we could have” “If I had to do this project all over again I would definitely be looking to sell a

different product first off as I feel that it was not best suited to selling online, I also believe a longer time frame would be required in order to sell.”

“I would be more organised and make sure that everything was done in advance so that unexpected circumstances wouldn’t prevent work from being done.”

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The Virtual Trading Project – Assessment

Attendance figures class size in 2007/2008 was forty six

14 female and 32 male students

non-attendance during the six week trading period of the Virtual Trading Project was 2%

over the course of the six week trading period, 98% of the students turned up to class and engaged with the project at some point

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The Virtual Trading Project – Programme Learning Outcomes

Virtual Trading Project Programme Learning Outcomes

► 1.      have a developed and integrated knowledge of management, finance, information technology/systems and marketing

► 2.      be able to integrate his/her knowledge across a number of business modules

► 3.      be able to sell and promote goods, services and ideas

4.      be able to prepare a business plan

5.      be able to analyse, interpret and manipulate business data to solve specific business problems

► 6.      be able to work effectively as part a group in structured and non-structured environments

► 7.      be able to identify his/her own learning needs in the business environment and to design and implement solutions

8.      be able to appreciate social, community and ethical business issues.

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The Virtual Trading Project – Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme learning outcomes span three academic years

The Virtual Trading Project currently runs in second year

The Virtual Trading Project addresses 5 of the 8 programme learning outcomes

Second year students cannot fully achieve these outcomes but instead can steadily work towards them

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The Virtual Trading Project – Suggestions/Questions for the Future

Does this project improve the teaching and learning approach?

Does this project help second year students to work towards achieving the programme learning outcomes?

What can be changed to improve the experience for lecturer and student?

How can lecturers be best supported in this integrated approach to teaching and learning?

How do we evaluate individual students within a group?

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The Virtual Trading Project – Suggestions/Questions for the Future

Student Feedback trading period will run twice during the academic year group issues under review in the Department

Subject Integration review of

scheduling communication between lecturers and students coordination of the project overall integrated team teaching approach

Define clear ‘success criteria’ for the student groups Measure impact on learning and on teaching in

2008/2009 academic year

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The Virtual Trading Project – Suggestions/Questions for the Future

Collaboration the Department and eBay Ireland ‘eBay University’ - five star accredited international eBay

trainer presented his experiences to all of the business students eBay Ireland presented a prize to the ‘winning’ group at the end

of the academic year the Department and eBay Ireland benefited by press releases

issued by eBay Ireland announcing collaboration with IADT on this project

proposed to involve local businesses in the project next year so that the students gain an insight into a real business rather than sourcing the products themselves

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Conclusions

The installation of a major change in the learning environment, such as this simulation, typically takes a minimum of three years

It is important that the students do not reject the initiative in the first years

Student feedback is encouraging and accordingly the intention is to run the simulation in 2008/2009

The proposed changes will be incorporated to improve the experience for lecturers and students

Apr 12, 2023 14

Deploying an Online eBusiness Simulation as an Integrated Project for Undergraduate Business Students: A Pilot Programme

Thank youGo raibh maith agaibh.

Any questions?

Audrey Stenson and Conor HeagneyDepartment of Business & Enterprise

IADT, Kill Avenue,Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Tony Redmond Department of Computer Science

Trinity College Dublin

EDTECH 2008, Dundalk, May 2008