Learning Through Collaboration and Competition: Incorporating Problem-Based Learning and Competition-Based Learning in a Capstone Course

This article discusses an innovative capstone course to prepare students to be more business-ready upon graduation. By combining aspects of problem-based learning (PBL) and competition-based learning (CBL), a new undergraduate course allows students to gain practical experience while applying classroom knowledge to real business problems. Students are organized into teams of three to five and act as “consultants” to local businesses. Student consultants then develop and present competing recommendations (similar to the television show The Apprentice) to high-level managers within the organizations. Benefits from this course accrue not only to students, but also to faculty members, area businesses, and the college. Details are provided to enable the course to be adopted in other undergraduate programs