Integration Ideas

I have shared my ideas for integrating the Journal in my classes. Many of my colleagues and friends have shared with me interesting ways they use the Journal in other ways. Each of these different exercises shows the flexibility available with Journal integration. You can choose the integration method that works best with your teaching style, course structure and material, and grading issues.

Many instructors use the Weekly Reviews for class discussions, assignments, quizzes, or exams. I discussed the Weekly Reviews in greater detail in a recent blog post dated October 17. The Reviews are an excellent resource of discipline-specific articles with questions and projects specially prepared for your use. One of my colleagues requires written answers to Weekly review articles only a few times each semester. As a result, she can wait until a reviewed article is just right for her class.

One interesting idea suggested by a professor in Colorado is to have each student, or a group of students, follow a company throughout the semester. The students must track the company, as well as event related to the company and its competition. They must also follow the industry in general, and how the economy if affecting the industry. He grades this project in two ways. On any given day, he calls on several students or groups to give a short presentation on the status of the company. A report on the company is required to be submitted at the end of the semester.

You do not necessarily need to make a formal assignment to integrate the Journal into your courses. One of my colleagues is new to our faculty this semester. As a result, he did not think to assign the Journal. But because he has had professional positions in his industry for years, he reads the Journal regularly and finds it important to bring current events into class. When he finds interesting and pertinent article, he brings the paper to class. He has been pleasantly surprised that many of the students are reading the articles as well without assignment or grading in his class. Even without a formal vehicle, he and his students enjoy likely discussions about current issues related to his course topic. His professionalism and high expectations for the students are making a valuable contribution for his students.

There are many terrific ways to use the Journal in business courses. Next week I will have more ideas for integration of the Journal into your classes. If you have any interesting ideas or any questions, please contact me at WSJprofblog@hotmail.com.