Teaching Methods and Learning Activities
Teaching activities are structured around lectures, and may also include practical exercises, laboratories, and seminars.
The Master’s Degree Programme in Business Consulting and Management promotes interdisciplinary seminars, which allow students to compare different bodies of knowledge and methodologies.
Some courses may be delivered fully or partially through e-learning.
Lectures are the main instructional tool when the goal is to convey concepts, information, and interpretative frameworks.
In-class lectures are used to provide theoretical knowledge through model-based learning. They are particularly suitable when participants have little to no prior knowledge of the subject matter.
Depending on the phase and content of the course, a lecture may take the form of a traditional lecture or a more interactive teaching approach, in which the instructor acts as a facilitator for discussion and exchange among participants.
This method takes place in the classroom, a space for the transmission and reproduction of knowledge, where the student remains at the center of the learning process—bringing their own pace, cognitive level, and interpretative frameworks. These elements are considered by the instructor in order to foster the best possible learning outcomes.
Practical Exercises
Exercises aim to reinforce and consolidate the knowledge acquired during lectures.
They are also designed to train students in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, by solving problems and identifying effective solutions.
Exercises can be either individual or group-based.
- In group exercises, students are divided into smaller sub-groups, each assigned a task to be completed within a set time and later presented to the entire class.
- In individual exercises, students are required to engage in more concentrated and independent study, leading them to reflect on possible solutions to a specific problem.
Laboratories
Laboratories are not only places where students apply theoretical knowledge by following standardised protocols—especially in subjects like Business Mathematics or Computer Skills—but are also conceived as an innovative teaching method applicable to all disciplines.
This approach encourages learning by doing, allowing for a more personalised teaching and learning process.
Laboratory activities are also particularly useful for language learning, especially English.
Professional Seminars
Professional seminars are part of integrative teaching activities, which involve in-depth sessions featuring guests from the business and academic sectors.
These seminars run in parallel with regular lectures and give students the opportunity to:
- interact directly with the professional world;
- understand the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies.
Other Teaching Methods
Some courses also include the use of case studies, business games, and role-play.
Business Game
A business game is a business management simulation in which students take on the role of managers in a virtual company. Participants are trained to make strategic and operational decisions, test business strategies, and navigate competitive environments.
This method promotes high engagement and supports both content and method-oriented learning outcomes, in a game-based context. It also allows students and instructors to compare and evaluate the outcomes of each team’s performance in terms of consistency and effectiveness.
Case Study
A case study is a written description of a problematic situation, detailed enough to allow participants to determine an appropriate course of action.
This method simulates real-life scenarios, draws on students’ prior knowledge and experience, and encourages them to actively engage in the learning process, applying theory to practice.
Cases provide a safe environment for experimenting with decision-making, analysing complex situations, identifying possible solutions, and selecting the most appropriate course of action. They also foster peer discussion and comparison across individual participants and sub-groups.
Role-Play
Role-play is a specific type of exercise in which participants act out a scenario, temporarily adopting roles that interact with one another, while others observe and analyse the process.
This technique simulates real workplace situations and offers participants the opportunity to:
- reflect on their own behaviours;
- experiment with new approaches;
- explore different perspectives;
- receive feedback on their performance.
E-Learning
E-learning is a specific form of distance learning delivered via the internet, offering a range of educational services, from support for traditional classroom instruction to full degree programmes and postgraduate courses.
While e-learning generally does not replace traditional teaching methods, it serves as an additional tool offered by the University in the global education market. It targets three main student profiles:
a) the “traditional” student, living near the university and regularly attending classes;
b) the student with special learning needs (e.g. working students, out-of-town students, international students, students with disabilities), who cannot regularly attend classes;
c) graduates already employed or entering the job market, who wish to acquire additional professional skills.
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