SCM 479 teaches students strong foundational skills in three types of cost modeling that are popular in procurement practice including bottom-up, industry averages and parametric cost modeling. Being able to create and interpret cost models is an important skill for procurement professionals that provides considerable power and tactical advantage during sourcing negotiations. The course has adopted a semi-flipped team-based learning design, with students individually consuming the bulk of conceptual knowledge outside of class, and then working in diverse teams on interactive problem solving activities in the classroom.
Student application performance is assessed based on three measure types. First, at the start of each module students take an individual readiness assessment (a short quiz). Immediately following the individual assessment, students engage with their learning team and take the exact same quiz as a team which activates peer to peer learning as teams debate and explore to collectively find correct answers. This team readiness assessment is open book/open notes with the objective that every student understands the concepts needed for the module learning activities. Finally, teams work on problem solving activities as a team which promotes interaction within and between teams further driving the recall and use of the learning content.
The technologies that are applied enhance the course immensely and include: 1) Intedashboard which provides the in-class digital team-based learning environment for individual and team readiness assessments and application/activities; 2) CATME for building diverse teams and conducting peer evaluations; and 3) Screenflow desktop video capture to create instructional videos for individual review of learning content and application solutions outside class to assure mastery. The videos are created by the instructor and are specific to course learning content. In Fall 2019, Thibideau plans to create additional mini-video lectures and in-class activities to further push content learning outside the classroom that allows additional classroom time for team-based application learning. In addition, Thibideau intends to incorporate standards based assessments in Fall 2019 to further the focus on skills mastery.
“Using the Intedashboard software helps assure individuals and teams understand the module content before the application session in class,” Thibideau said. “ During the application [activities] I provide a brief description of the problem solving skill/activity and then walk the classroom to support teams as appropriate, encouraging teams to find solutions and make decisions.”
Technology Used
- Intedashboard (https://www.intedashboard.com/)
- CATME (https://www.catme.org/login/index)
- Screenflow (https://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm)
Team Members
Michael Thibideau, faculty