To:  INSTRUCTORS WHO USE EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES IN CLASS...

You use experiential exercises in class, because you think they are an effective way for students to learn complex concepts.  But have you ever shared them with others, or thought about publishing them in conference proceedings?  If you are looking for an outlet for your EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES think about the Eastern Academy of Management's Experiential Learning Association (ELA).

ELA welcomes the submission of new (not previously published) exercises or substantial modifications of existing exercises. Exercises include games, simulations, role plays, and other interactive experiences that center on the teaching of management.

The 2009 Eastern Academy of Management Conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CT.</st1:state></st1:place>, <st1:date month="5" day="13" year="2009" w:st="on">May 13 – 16, 2009</st1:date>. The submission deadline is <st1:date year="2008" day="8" month="12" w:st="on">December 8, 2008</st1:date>.

To view the call for papers, please visit:
http://www.eamconference.org/EAM2009Call.pdf 
 
To submit your exercises or sign up as an ELA reviewer, please visit the EAM meeting website at: http://www.eamconference.org

Exercises will be eligible for the Best Experiential Exercise award, determined by judges at the conference.

If you are interested in submission guidelines, have questions, or want to explore your ideas, please contact Don Gibson or Cathy Giapponi, co-chairs of the Experiential Learning Association, at dgibson@mail.fairfield.edu or cgiapponi@mail.fairfield.edu .

We'd also like to invite you sign up as a reviewer for the ELA track.

Hope to see you in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city></st1:place>! 

Guidelines for Submitting an Exercise to ELA:

·        New (not previously published) or substantial modifications of existing exercises are welcome. Exercises include games, simulations, role plays, and other forms of interactive experiences which center on the teaching of management. If you are revising, enhancing or describing a new use for an exercise be sure to reference the original and/or include a copy of the original as an appendix.

·        Write a short rationale for why the exercise is needed or helps present the material. You need not review why experiential learning is needed.

·        Indicate briefly: a) learning goals for the exercise, b) approximate timing, c) number of participants or group size, d) materials needed, e) preparation needed before class by students, f) preparation needed by instructor.

·        Describe in detail the steps and timing involved in doing the exercise. Try to write instructions for the instructor that assume the instructor has never seen the exercise before and wants to use it the following day in class.

·        Discuss in detail how you debrief the exercise. How are the learning goals addressed? What additional learning can you bring forth? What has been the student experience? What unexpected outcomes have occurred?

·        Provide a complete copy of the exercise (this can be an appendix if you are beyond the 25 page limit, but don't feel obligated to "stretch" your paper to 25 pages). If your paper is accepted, you will likely have to shorten it to fit in the Proceedings.

·        Indicate time frames for presenting the exercise or portion of the exercise at the Eastern Academy of Management meeting. Discuss the extent to which session attendees will be able to participate in the typical time frames of the meeting (2 to 4 exercises in a 1 to 2 hour session). If there are ways to creatively do a portion of the exercise at the conference, please describe (this increases the likelihood of acceptance).

·        Exercises will be eligible for the Best Experiential Exercise award.

General Evaluation Criteria for Experiential Exercises:

·         Contribution: does it move or promise to move beyond existing knowledge?

·         How well does this paper demonstrate understanding of theories and research in the relevant literature?

·         Does the experiential activity demonstrate the material in a creative, interesting, and useful manner?

·         Is the proposal well written (including instructions)?

·         How interesting would this paper be to EAM members?

·         What is your overall evaluation of this paper?

Criteria* for Best Experiential Exercise Award:

*Judging is based on both the written exercise and its presentation at the conference.

·         Does this exercise provide students with a meaningful learning experience that provides insight into key management concepts or practices?

·         Is the exercise design challenging? Entertaining? Creative?

·         Is this exercise a teaching tool or technique that has the potential to make a solid impact in the classroom?

·         Are the instructor teaching materials and participant learning materials discussed and submitted with the exercise of high quality, that is, easy to follow, professional in appearance, and supportive of the exercise itself?

Donald E. Gibson, Ph.D.

Professor of Management

Chair, Management Department

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Charles</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">F.</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Dolan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> of Business

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Fairfield</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>

<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1073 N. Benson Road</st1:address></st1:street>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Fairfield</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CT</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">06824-5195</st1:postalcode></st1:place>

Tel (203) 254-4000, x2841

Fax (203) 254-4105