Adding Risk into Post-Secondary Learning

Abstract

Teaching is more than just the course content; it is the development of student’s skills beyond the material.  According to the Conference Board of Canada, “the Ontario employers surveyed noted that there are essential skills deficits among their current employees. Over 70 per cent said that there are gaps in critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” (2013). The author investigated whether adding risk into student coursework deepens student long-term learning. . The author aims to compare low intensity learning situations to high intensity learning situations. An analysis was conducted of student reflections post project, a survey of post-secondary faculty, and research articles to determine the results. Two examples of risk were used: the Google Ad Grants Project, and Case Competitions. Google Ad Grants provides up to $10,000 monthly in free advertising to students who work with a real non-profit to take over their AdWords campaigns. A case competition is an academic competition in which students come together to solve a case that is presented. Students utilize their teamwork, critical thinking, analyzing, and organizational skills to deduce a recommendation that they support in a presentation in front of judges or company sponsors.