Integration of experiential learning and conversational framework in curriculum development – role of 4C’s and student engagement in rural management education

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to enhance the quality of education in rural management through the inclusion of students’ voices, namely, active participation in the curriculum development intervention. This approach aims to foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity, thereby enhancing student engagement and in turn leading to quality education.

Design/methodology/approach

This methodology outlines an inductive approach using focus group discussions (FGD) and thematic analysis to explore and understand the constructs related to the impact of students’ voice on quality education. Curriculum development in rural management was used as an intervention to assess the impact of the inclusion of students’ voice. This study’s inductive approach and qualitative methods provide a rich understanding of students’ experiences and perspectives.

Findings

The findings from the FGD and thematic analysis provided insights into the inclusion of students’ voice in rural management curriculum development, an intervention that enhanced the 4C’s (collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking) of learning and student engagement. The emerging themes illustrated the intervention’s positive effects on quality education.

Research limitations/implications

This research extends the current knowledge by shedding light on integrating Kolb’s experiential learning theory with Laurillards’ conversational framework in achieving quality education in rural management which has not been extensively explored.

Practical implications

The paper underscores the importance of students’ voice in quality education. It provides a basis for policymakers to mandate that higher education institutions increase student engagement, thereby promoting quality education.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of quality education (Sustainable Development Goal 4) in rural management. The results of our study provide a novel perspective on the experiential learning of students, which has practical implications and advances the understanding of quality education for sustainable development in business education.

Citation

Seethalakshmi, R., Navaneethakrishnan, K., Rekha, K.N. and Wundavalli, G.P.K. (2024), "Integration of experiential learning and conversational framework in curriculum development – role of 4C’s and student engagement in rural management education", Journal of International Education in Business, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-06-2023-0038