On-line business simulation platforms for teaching entrepreneurship to engineering students in Higher Education

Today entrepreneurship education has come a long way in terms of its validity and impact in society and there is a growing trend of new interdisciplinary programmes incorporating the teaching and learning of entrepreneurship for non -business students in disciplines such as engineering. However, there are no consistent guidelines or recommendations on what can be classed as an effective teaching curriculum on entrepreneurship for engineering discipline. Entrepreneurship is an integrated concept and if an effective teaching and learning platform is not adopted, then addressing some of the complex attributes of entrepreneurship can be a challenge for educators. For some researchers, a good deal of fundamental business knowledge can be taught in a classroom but such an approach is limited as students cannot be exposed to some of the risks and complexities attributed to an entrepreneurial venture. This paper will discuss the potential of blended teaching by using a controlled learning environment such as simulation with traditional lectures. Using the case study of an entrepreneurship focused module called `Enterprise' in the Department of Electronic Engineering at York (UK), this paper will discuss some of the innovative ways to teach entrepreneurship to engineering students. It will particularly highlight the use of on-line business simulation platforms: SimVenture Evolution and SimVenture Validate which give students an authentic experience of running a business and validating their innovative ideas. Such experiential technologies can facilitate the development of a wide range of skills needed to stimulate students' entrepreneurial competences. Can such approaches transform the educational setting in entrepreneurship education for non-business students? The findings from this study will help Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and educators understand the benefits of blended teaching and learning strategies for entrepreneurship related curricula and programmes fit for modern education.