Research pick: Tech the talk - "The use of technology to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and competencies"

As the commercial landscape evolves, the integration of technology into entrepreneurship education is emerging as an important part of educating the next generation of innovative business leaders. A study in the International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning highlights the changes taking place and points to how technological tools are reshaping not only the design and delivery of entrepreneurial knowledge but also the very skills that students need to master in order to thrive in the commercial world today.

Marsela Thanasi-Boçe and Selma Kurtishi-Kastrati of the American University of the Middle East in Egaila, Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, explain that conventionally entrepreneurship education focuses on foundational business skills such as planning and operations. However, their work suggests a more subtle approach is needed that also places emphasis on creativity and innovative thinking. Recent global events, such as the pandemic, have given this shift new urgency, catalysing the rapid adoption of digital learning platforms. With these new tools, educators can create a more engaging learning environment for their students and even mirror the complexities of real-world business challenges.

The team suggests that we need to have ongoing discussions about technology-enhanced education, and their work sheds new light on the various digital resources that might be used to support entrepreneurial training. Online learning platforms, business simulations, and other interactive tools not only engage students but also provide practical experiences that reinforce critical skills such as opportunity recognition, resource acquisition, and risk management. These skills can then be transferred to the businesses those students start when they enter the commercial world with all its uncertainties and opportunities.

The research also highlights how educators themselves need to be adept at using the new technologies. Knowledge of the curriculum is no longer sufficient, the must-have the skills to use the digital tools effectively in order to pass those skills. In other words, there is an increased pressure for ongoing professional development among educators in this field. Educational establishments, such as business schools, that invest in faculty training are in turn investing in their students and the quality of their entrepreneurship teaching.

In addition to investing in faculty education, the work hints that stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders should be mutually beneficial. Collaborations with businesses can provide students with opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. This can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real-world, as well as offering networking opportunities for students and businesses.

Thanasi-Boçe, M. and Kurtishi-Kastrati, S. (2024) ‘The use of technology to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and competencies’, Int. J. Technology Enhanced Learning, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.428–446.