Interleaving is a progressive teaching strategy that is gaining traction in various educational fields, including business education. This article aims to elucidate the concept of interleaving for high school teachers, particularly those involved in business education, by discussing its benefits and providing practical implementation strategies.

Understanding Interleaving in Business Education

Interleaving, as opposed to traditional block learning, involves mixing different topics or types of practice during the learning process. For instance, in a business education course, rather than dedicating several consecutive classes to marketing and then moving on to finance, interleaving would involve alternating between these subjects within the same week or even the same class.

Benefits of Interleaving in Business Education

1. Enhanced Cognitive Skills: Interleaving forces students to continually switch gears and apply different analytical approaches, thereby improving cognitive agility.
2. Better Problem-Solving Abilities: It helps students differentiate between various business scenarios and apply appropriate strategies, thus enhancing problem-solving skills.
3. Real-World Application: In the business world, challenges and situations do not occur in isolation. Interleaving prepares students for real-world complexities where multifaceted knowledge application is necessary.
4. Improved Retention: This method helps in better retention of concepts as it encourages the brain to actively recall and apply different business principles and theories.

Implementing Interleaving in a Business Education Course

1. Curriculum Design: Plan the syllabus to cycle through different business topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, and operations, ensuring a blend in each module.
2. Diverse Homework Assignments: Assign homework that includes problems or case studies from various business areas, not just the topic covered that day.
3. Integrated Assessments: Create tests and projects that require students to apply a range of business concepts and skills, mimicking the multifaceted nature of business challenges.
4. Balance in Teaching Methods: While interleaving is beneficial, it should be balanced with blocked practice, especially for complex or new topics that may require more focused attention initially.

Example: Interleaving in a Business Education Course

Imagine a week in a business education class where the teacher interleaves topics. On Monday, the focus might be on marketing strategies. Tuesday could switch to financial analysis. Wednesday might revisit marketing, but this time in the context of budgeting for marketing campaigns, integrating the previous day's financial lessons. Thursday could introduce human resource management, and Friday could involve a case study that requires students to apply all three areas - marketing, finance, and HR - in a holistic business scenario.

Challenges and Considerations

• Adjustment Period: Students might initially find this method challenging as it can be more demanding than focusing on one subject at a time.
• Educator Readiness: Teachers may need to adapt their teaching styles and strategies to effectively implement interleaving.
• Content Suitability: Some business topics may be more suited to interleaving than others. It’s essential to identify which topics can be effectively interwoven.

Conclusion

Interleaving in business education offers a dynamic and realistic approach to learning. By thoughtfully incorporating this strategy, teachers can enhance their students' ability to think critically, solve problems, and apply a wide range of business concepts in real-life scenarios. While there are challenges to its implementation, the potential benefits for student learning and engagement make interleaving a valuable tool in the modern educational landscape.

More more check out this video on interleaving.

Teaching accounting at the high school level requires effective pedagogical strategies that have been researched and proven to enhance student learning outcomes. By incorporating evidence-based teaching techniques, educators can engage students, promote critical thinking, and improve their understanding of accounting principles. This article presents ten pedagogical teaching tips supported by research to help high school accounting teachers create a dynamic and enriching learning environment.

Use Real-World Examples: Research has shown that integrating real-world examples into accounting instruction helps students connect theory with practical applications (Nikolai, Bazley, & Jones, 2019). By presenting authentic scenarios and case studies, teachers can make accounting concepts more relevant and engaging for students.

Encourage Active Learning: Active learning strategies, such as group discussions, hands-on activities, and problem-solving exercises, have been found to enhance student engagement and knowledge retention in accounting education (Turner & Oakes, 2020). Encourage students to actively participate, ask questions, and collaborate with their peers to promote deeper understanding.

Provide Visual Aids: Research suggests that visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and diagrams, effectively facilitate learning and comprehension of complex accounting concepts (Reynolds & Stein, 2020). Utilize visual representations to simplify abstract ideas and help students visualize and internalize accounting information.

Utilize Technology: Incorporating technology tools, such as accounting software, spreadsheets, and online resources, can improve student learning outcomes in accounting education (Jones, Burrell, & Becker, 2017). Practical exposure to these tools familiarizes students with industry practices and enhances their understanding of accounting principles.

Incorporate Gamification: Gamified activities, such as quizzes, competitions, and simulations, have been found to increase student engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention in accounting courses (Oktaviana & Hartono, 2019). Introduce gamification elements to make learning enjoyable while reinforcing accounting concepts.

Foster Critical Thinking: Research highlights the importance of promoting critical thinking skills in accounting education (Turner & Oakes, 2020). Encourage students to think critically by presenting challenging questions and real-life scenarios that require analytical skills. This approach enhances problem-solving abilities and prepares students for practical accounting challenges.

Provide Constructive Feedback: Regular provision of constructive feedback on assignments, class participation, and assessments is crucial in accounting education (Nikolai et al., 2019). Constructive feedback helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to refine their accounting skills.

Differentiate Instruction: Recognizing the diverse learning needs and styles of students and adapting teaching methods accordingly has been found to improve student learning outcomes in accounting (Mullen, 2019). Differentiate instruction by varying teaching methods, materials, and assessments to accommodate individual strengths and interests.

Promote Collaboration: Collaborative learning experiences, such as group projects or case studies, foster active engagement and knowledge construction in accounting education (Reynolds & Stein, 2020). Encourage teamwork and collaboration to allow students to learn from one another, develop interpersonal skills, and gain exposure to different perspectives on accounting concepts.

Connect with Professionals: Research suggests that connecting students with accounting professionals through guest lectures or field trips enhances their understanding of the accounting profession and its real-world applications (Jones et al., 2017). Such connections provide valuable insights, expose students to career opportunities, and reinforce the relevance of their accounting education.

References:

Jones, M. P., Burrell, A., & Becker, J. (2017). The impact of technology on student learning in accounting education. Journal of Accounting Education, 39, 17-28.

Mullen, G. E. (2019). An examination of differentiated instruction in accounting education. Journal of Accounting Education, 47, 26-37.

Nikolai, L. A., Bazley, J. D., & Jones, J. P. (2019). Instructor feedback in accounting education: Student perceptions and impact on learning outcomes. Issues in Accounting Education, 34(4), 41-56.

Oktaviana, V. K., & Hartono, J. (2019). The effect of gamification on student motivation and learning outcomes in accounting education. Journal of Accounting Education, 48, 62-74.

Reynolds, M., & Stein, S. M. (2020). Use of visual aids in accounting education. Journal of Accounting Education, 52, 100363.

Turner, L. L., & Oakes, M. R. (2020). Developing critical thinking skills: An investigation of accounting education. Journal of Accounting Education, 52, 100387.

Business teachers that teach Microsoft Word are presented with a unique challenge, bring the content down to the students' level.  Teachers who have been teaching for years fall into the trap of knowing their topic so well, they assume it is "easy" and that the student will learn quickly and know everything they do in short order.  Keep in mind, your students may have never used Word and their schema may not be nearly as developed as yours.  Keeping that in mind, here are some tips for teaching Microsoft Word.

Start with the basics: Begin by introducing the fundamental features of Microsoft Word, such as creating, opening, and saving documents, as well as navigating the interface. Beginning with the basics leverages the educational theory of scaffolding.  Start with the skills students will stand on every day after that lesson.

Provide hands-on practice: Encourage students to actively engage with Word by assigning practical exercises or projects that require them to use various features and tools. Don't be afraid to let you student experiment. Perhaps have a "find your own feature" day where students find s new feature they aren't familiar with and experiment with it. I liked to show students how to build a table of contents automatically based on header styles. It would save them a lot of time when writing other papers. 

Break it down: When teaching more complex features, break them down into step-by-step instructions, demonstrating each step clearly and encouraging students to follow along. Again, this deploys scaffolding in your presentation and don't forget to ask the student to demonstrate what they have learned before you keep presenting new content. Be cautious of automated teaching systems.  Often, they will teach a skill that is so isolated, that the student doesn't understand the context of the tool they are working with. You can fill that gap in your instruction.

Utilize templates: Showcase the pre-designed templates available in Word and explain how they can save time and effort for creating professional-looking documents. Templates can show students what is possible in Word.  So instead of explaining what word can do, they can open a template and see for themselves. Don't forget to explain to student concept of professional formatting.  Word doesn't do a great job telling students how to format a block style letter. Format is important in the business world, and implementing it correctly still escapes computer applications like Word.

Focus on formatting: Teach students how to format text, paragraphs, and pages effectively, including font styles, sizes, alignments, line spacing, margins, and indentation.

Explore styles and themes: Introduce students to Word's built-in styles and themes, which can help maintain consistency and enhance the visual appeal of documents.

Teach collaboration features: Highlight the collaborative capabilities of Word, such as real-time co-authoring, comments, and track changes, to enable students to work together on documents. Having student work on the same document live is fun and a great business skill. 

Demonstrate productivity shortcuts: Share time-saving shortcuts like keyboard combinations for common tasks, using the Quick Access Toolbar, and customizing the Ribbon interface.

Show advanced features: Introduce advanced features gradually, such as tables, images, headers and footers, footnotes, citations, and automatic table of contents. Don't be afraid to expose more advanced features before basic ones.  The educational theory of interleaving applies here. Of course, use your judgement. However, in many cases with great students, exposing them to advanced features could pay benefits for them later. You can read more interleaving here.

Practice troubleshooting: Encourage students to explore common issues they may encounter while using Word and teach them how to troubleshoot problems, such as document corruption or formatting inconsistencies. I have always found troubleshooting paragraph spacing is something that escapes many.  Some time spent on fixing bad paragraph spacing with "show codes" can save you and them a lot of time sharpening their work products.

Remember to adapt these tips provide ample opportunities for students to ask questions which will enhance their learning experience with Microsoft Word.

The world of higher education has been rapidly evolving over the past decade. But the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about even more changes to how colleges and universities operate. Remote learning is now the norm, and institutions must adapt to attract and retain students. In this article, we will explore five ideas colleges and universities can use to increase enrollment and maintain a competitive edge in the new world of remote learning.

1. Expand Online Learning Offerings

The pandemic has made online learning a necessity, and students have shown that they prefer its flexibility and convenience. As such, one of the best ways for institutions to increase enrollment is by expanding their online course offerings.

Colleges and universities should work to create robust online degree programs and courses that cater to the diverse needs of students. Institutions should also invest in technology and infrastructure to support remote learning. This includes providing students access to high-quality learning management systems, video conferencing software, and other digital tools.

Consider this research if your institution is still second-guessing whether online learning can be effective. Over the years, research has shown that online learning can be just as effective as classroom-based learning. Here are some studies that support that online education can be as effective as onsite learning:

• A 2019 meta-analysis published in the journal Educational Research Review analyzed 58 studies that compared online and face-to-face learning. The researchers found no significant difference in learning outcomes between the two modes of delivery.
• A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education compared students’ learning outcomes in an online course with those in a traditional face-to-face course. The study found no significant difference in learning outcomes between the two groups of students.
• A 2017 report published by the National Education Policy Center concluded that "blended" or hybrid courses (which combine online and face-to-face learning) can be just as effective as traditional classroom-based courses.

2. Prioritize Student Success

Students are the lifeblood of any institution, and it's important to prioritize their success. Institutions that invest in student success are more likely to build a loyal student base and attract new students through positive word-of-mouth.

One way to promote student success is by offering academic support services such as tutoring, writing centers, and academic coaching. Institutions should also provide students with access to career counseling, internships, and other professional development opportunities that can help them succeed in the job market.

Moreover, institutions should prioritize mental health and wellness services for students. The pandemic has taken a toll on students’ mental health, and institutions that provide vital mental health services are more likely to attract and retain students.

3. Offer Personalized Learning Experiences

Students today expect a personalized learning experience catering to their needs and preferences. Institutions that offer personalized learning experiences are more likely to attract and retain students.

Personalized learning experiences may include customized academic plans, flexible course schedules, and the ability to choose from various course formats (in-person, online, hybrid). Additionally, institutions may offer personalized learning pathways that allow students to earn degrees or certificates in a shorter amount of time by recognizing prior learning and work experience.

Investing in learning analytics and other data-driven technologies can help institutions personalize the learning experience for students. For example, institutions may use data analytics to identify at-risk students and provide targeted support to help them succeed.

4. Build Strong Industry Partnerships

Building strong partnerships with local industries is an effective way for institutions to increase enrollment and maintain a competitive edge, especially for business programs.  By partnering with businesses and organizations, institutions can demonstrate their commitment to the community and create opportunities for students to engage in meaningful service projects and internships.

Community partnerships may also provide opportunities for institutions to offer specialized programs and courses that meet the needs of local industries. This may include certificate programs in healthcare, technology, or other high-demand fields.

Furthermore, community partnerships may provide opportunities for institutions to attract non-traditional students, such as working adults and military personnel looking for an education tailored to their needs.

5. Offer Affordable Education

Higher education costs are a significant concern for many students and their families. Institutions that offer affordable education are more likely to attract and retain students.

One way to offer affordable education is by investing and curating open educational resources (OERs) and other digital resources that can be accessed at little or no cost. Additionally, institutions can work to reduce the cost of textbooks and other materials by partnering with publishers to offer digital versions or by creating their own online resources.

Institutions can also offer financial aid and scholarships to students who need it. By making education more affordable and accessible, institutions can attract a broader range of students who may not have considered higher education otherwise.

In conclusion, colleges and universities that employ these five ideas are more likely to increase enrollment and maintain a competitive edge in the new world of remote learning. By expanding their online offerings, prioritizing student success, offering personalized learning experiences, building strong industry partnerships, and offering affordable education, institutions can create a supportive and engaging learning environment that meets the evolving needs of students. The pandemic has brought about many changes to higher education, but institutions can thrive in the post-pandemic world by adapting and innovating.

Author
Joe McClary, Executive Director of the National Business Education Association