Introduction to the Unit

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Introduction to the Unit

• Business Capstone 301

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Presentation Overview

1. What is Capstone?
2. Facilities and Resource Implications
3. The Simulation
4. Rolling Out the Unit
5. The Syllabus Assessment
6. Running the Class
7. Training / Supporting Staff
8. Research Opportunities
9. Student Feedback
10. Challenges / Issues

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The Challenge

• Multi disciplinary unit across all Schools
• Hands-on experience (gen Y!)
• Team work with a difference
• Standardised across all locations
• Exciting and useful
• Well regarded ( accreditation?)
• Not too expensive - resources, facilities

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1. What is Capstone?

• Video - What is Capstone?
• 119 mins

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The Basic Concepts

• Students are part of a team running a virtual
  business (on a spreadsheet)
• How do this is up to them
• Large online component resources and game
• The team simulation forms the bulk of the
  workload
• Other assessment tasks compliment the simulation

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Capstone Design

• Simulated business environment
• Skills that employers expect
• Opportunity to practice your professional skills
• Challenging individual and team tasks
• Experience the demands of attaining desired
  outcomes
• Experience the pressure of deadlines and learning
  under time pressure

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2. Facilities Resources

• Two dedicated Capstone Rooms
• 5 semi circular tables with computer and double
  monitor
• Each table seats up to 6 students
• Internet (preferably not wireless)
• No special software (internet and Excel )
• Central projector screen with computer
• Notice boards

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Capstone Tools

• Online simulation (Capsim), including
• Student Guide to the Simulation (English
  Chinese)
• Interactive spreadsheets (Capstone.xls,
  CompXM.xls)
• Capstone Courier (Reports)
• Tutorials, manager guides and coaching tools
• Rehearsal Simulation
• CBS Blackboard site for Business Capstone 301,
  including
• Online Journal Personal diary
• Materials, information and announcements

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Important Considerations

• Support from the Division (leadership)
• Buy-in from the Schools / Departments
• Content, quality, accreditation
• Where the unit sits
• The right facilities
• Internet and tech support
• Staff training
• Marketing to students, partners and industry

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3. The Simulation Capsim

• Over 500 Universities Schools
• Corporate Education
• Competency testing and accreditation
• Constantly improving Capsim, Comp-XM,
  Foundation, Blazing Trails
• Student and staff support
• Reasonably priced

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Corporate Clients

• Alcoa- Allstate- Bridgestone-Firestone-
  Caterpillar- Citibank- Computer Associates-
  Cummins- Dell- General Electric- General
  Motors- Goldman Sachs- Griffin Pipe Company-
  Herman Miller- International Truck and Engine-
  John Deere- Johnson Johnson- Johnson
  Controls- Level 3- Linde Group

- Lockheed Martin- Microsoft- National
Association of Broadcasters- PricewaterhouseCoope
rs- Rio Tinto- Samsung- Schneider Electric-
Sempra Energy- Snap-on- Sony Music
Entertainment- Square D- Sterling Jewelers-
Taiwan Semiconductor- TransUnion- W.L. Gore
Associates
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Curtin Capsim - Recognition

• Winners international competition in 2005 (around
  300 teams)
• 3rd place international competition (over 450
  teams) in 2006
• University award for Excellence Innovation in
  Teaching 2006
• 6th place international competition (974 teams)
  in 2008 also placing 11 teams in the top 50
• Top ranked University in the world in
  International Competition in 2008!!!
• Spring 2009 2nd place out of 903 teams worldwide

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Simulation Modules

• Core Modules
• RD
• Production
• Marketing
• Finance
• Advanced modules
• Advanced Marketing
• HRM
• Labour Negotiations
• TQM

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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools - Spreadsheet
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The Tools Capstone Courier
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The Tools Capstone Courier
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The Tools Capstone Courier
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The Tools Capstone Courier
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The Tools Capstone Courier
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Coach
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4. Rolling Out the Unit

• C2010 structure 8,8,8
• 8 Common Core units across the division
• 1 for each School and 2 divisional units
• Capstone and CIB (new)
• Strong Divisional support and reasonable autonomy

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The Rollout

• 2005 Sem 1 trial with 30 volunteers
• 2005 Sem 2 launch as an elective
• 2006 Sem 1 run as an elective 268 students
  (Sing) MIS
• 2006 Sem 2 compulsory for most 512 students
  Dist Ed
• 2007 Sem 1 540 students Sydney, Mauritius
• 2007 Sem 2 compulsory for ALL 815 students
  (Mal) KL, Miri and (Sing) SIMM, SHRI
• 2008 Sem 1 607 students HK (SPACE)
• 2008 Sem 2 842 students HK (CIDP)
• 2009 Sem 1 around 700 students
• 2009 Sem 2 expecting 2000 students
• Generally 1200-1500 students expected per semester

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5. The Syllabus Assessment

• Video How Does Capstone Work?
• 240 mins
• Stand-alone unit or integrated within a unit?
• Our Capstone aims
• team, multidisciplinary experience, negotiation
  and communication, time management, strategic
  thinking, logical thinking, some discipline
  knowledge, appreciation of other disciplines,
  working under pressure, deadlines

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The Simulation

• Does not reflect real life 100
• Not to teach intricacies of study disciplines
• Students are not going to become experts in their
  fields through the simulation
• Based on general concepts
• Special syllabi and case studies are available
• Enables students to see the consequences of their
  decisions
• Aimed at decision-making at higher strategic
  level
• Used by over 500 Universities and top companies

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Three Assessment Items

• Interactive Simulation Activities
• Preparation Work 10
• Group Simulation 35
• Individual Simulation 20
• Reflections on my participation 20
• Includes peer evaluations
• Company Presentation 15

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Alternative Assessment Items

• Interactive Simulation Activities
• Group Simulation 25
• Individual Simulation 15
• Mid Semester Test (unit specific) 20
• Includes peer evaluations
• Exam (unit specific) 40

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Marking and Moderation

• Standardised and automated
• No exam
• Some tutor marking reflections
• Automated marking trial
• Moderation
• Tutor discretion on team marks
• Pass rates
• Issues plagiarism, cheating, contributions

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6. Running the Class

• Two dedicated Capstone rooms
• 2 classes at a time
• Up to 38 classes per week
• Optimum 25 in a class
• (min 15-18, max 30-36)
• Classes are 3 hours
• Teams meet outside of class time (optional)

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The Tutors Role?

• Facilitator, not teacher or mentor
• Guide students through orientation setup
• Ensure schedule is being followed
• Give a debrief of each round
• Some assessment
• Monitor team progress
• Monitor online journals
• Report to UC

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The Teams

• 6 Schools
• Acct, Bus Law, Econs Fin, IS, Mngmnt, Mkt
• 5 to 6 students per team
• Ideally 1 per discipline per team
• Some teams are homogenous
• Can also have computer opponents

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7. Training / Supporting Staff

• Training Seminars
• Self-study training program
• Support for each module
• Some shared teaching / teaching visits
• Professional development

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8. Research Opportunities

• Broad captive market, local and international
• Multidisciplinary vs homogenous teams
• Team composition and performance
• Culture and performance
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• and so on

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9. Student Feedback

• Good responses on eValuate
• Video What Students Think
• 106 mins
• Many enter the international competitions
• Industry interest (Deloitte)

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10. Challenges / Issues

• Getting buy-in from Schools
• Where does the unit sit?
• Staffing issues
• Rolling it out offshore
• Facilities, resources, access codes
• Content
• Industry

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Questions?