Read more: Can you teach K-12 students to become entrepreneurs?
If you’re excited about teaching entrepreneurship skills, think outside of the box when it comes to doing it over a digital platform. It takes a little creativity, but you can truly have a strong influence on the next generation of business owners. Let’s look at how you can make it work.
Begin with the basics of entrepreneurship
One of the best ways to get started with teaching entrepreneurship is to let your students know where it could lead. Discuss some of the benefits of an MBA, for example:- Growing a professional network
- Acquiring an international perspective
- Cultivating transferable skills
- Benefitting from real-world case studies
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The basics should also cover what your students should know before starting their business. That includes getting a handle on their finances. Small business loans and funding options might seem overwhelming at first. But, by teaching it, you’re preparing future entrepreneurs to be financially sound from the start.
Read more: Teaching students financial literacy with education technology
Teaching the basics will make it easy for your students to decide whether they want to focus on entrepreneurship or not. It takes a passionate individual to want to start their own business. If they lose interest at the first step, you’ll both know they should be considering a different career path.
Get creative with your approach
There are several hurdles to consider when it comes to online learning. Some of the most notable include:- Accessibility
- Adaptability
- Technical issues
- Computer literacy
- Time management
- Self-motivation
Read more: Teaching students how to manage digital distractions
Instead of lecture after lecture, find ways to get your students talking. Teach your students to create business model canvases. These pared-down business plans can then be used to create pitches your students can give over video conferencing in a mock Shark Tank-style investment exercise. There are plenty of ways to keep your students engaged, and it should be a priority if you want to keep their attention. So, don’t be afraid to get creative with your approach if it means everyone is involved.
Keep things social
One of the potential drawbacks of online learning is that it can be less social than teaching in person. But, there are things you can do to really connect with your students over an online platform. Spending extra one-on-one time with those interested in entrepreneurship can help them decide if it’s the right path. You can keep online learning social for your entire class by:- Providing extra emotional support
- Having space/time for students to interact with each other informally
- Organizing team activities
- Focusing on the gamification elements of online platforms
- Promoting peer learning
- Develop an online learning community