Planning for a unit on entrepreneurship.

1. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
A Science and Technology
Entrepreneurship Studies
Unit gapingvoid.com

2. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
No universally agreed definition
Traditionally associated with innovation in production
But, many non-profit and service entrepreneurs
‘Opportunity’ ‘Change’ ‘Innovation’ ‘Value creation’
Limited value getting bogged down in definitions
Entrepreneurship Education

3. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Primary purpose is not venture creation
Few report students engaged in start-ups
Mean student ‘entrepreneurship intention’
doesn’t change significantly
Though variance does – intentions clarified?
Entr. Ed. Research

4. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
More likely to see ‘Technology Entrepreneurship’
Less likely to see ‘Science Entrepreneurship’
Perhaps the influence of the ‘Silicon Valley’
model of entrepreneurship
Existing studies

5. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Various – depends largely on the intended aims :
Learning about entrepreneurship – the theoretical what, why, etc.
Learning for entrepreneurship – the processes of how, when, etc.
Learning through/in entrepreneurship – actual or simulated
entrepreneurial projects
Course approaches

6. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
‘Technology entrepreneurship’ texts are typically
targeted at a postgraduate level
There are few texts that specifically identify their
audience as undergraduate students
Many of the more recent texts come from
Australasia
Learning resources

7. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
MIT Open Courseware provides access to nearly
70 courses related to entrepreneurship
Creative Commons licenced
However, some date to 2002
And, closely linked to local (US) context
Learning resources

8. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Select a ‘good’ text; supplement with
Up-to-date topics & case studies
OR
Build de novo specifically for the unit
Might not include a textbook
Potential syllabus

9. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
• The Innovation Imperative
• Social Entrepreneurship and
Innovation
• Globalisation, Development and
Sustainability
• Individual and Organisational
Characteristics
• Sources of Innovation
• Searching for Opportunities
• Building the Case
Potential syllabus
• Exploiting Networks.
• Developing the Venture.
• Developing New Products and
Services.
• Creating New Ventures.
• Exploiting Knowledge and
Intellectual Property.
• Creating Value and Growing
Ventures.
• Learning to Manage Innovation.

10. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Have to cater for a wide/diverse student audience
Not all programs have free space
Some ‘innovation’ units already exist
An mandatory online only unit might create ESOS
‘minimum on-campus attendance’ problems
Faculty issues

11. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Individual student attributes were critical – students with similar experience should
be grouped together, a strong team champion/leader is required, and clashes were
observed where team members had different motivations for enrolling in the program
A well-designed and scaffolded process is essential – strong guidance on the required
processes was required
Synchronous communication technologies assisted geographically dispersed teams
The initial period of the program was highly confusing and stressful for students
Extreme distance was a problem
Online delivery - findings

12. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Is wholly online delivery a key/mandatory objective?
Is it intended to be a unit that would be optionally available, or mandatorily required in
some or all Faculty programs?
Is it only intended as an undergraduate level unit, or potentially available for double-
coding at postgraduate coursework level as well?
At what year level would it be ‘best’ nominally pitched in response to the previous
questions?
Is it intended that students would participate in some simulated/model/actual
product/service development?
Key questions

13. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Email: spalm@deakin.edu.au
Phone: 72991
Your thoughts?