Communication Department begins using Case studies from Harvard Business School

By Melissa Livingston

Since the change of Ricks College to Brigham Young University-Idaho, the university has worked to introduce innovations into the classroom.

Robyn Bergstrom, associate dean of the College of Business and Communication, has truly made this a reality for her students by making material from Harvard Business School Online their textbook, rather than relying on a traditional book.

Starting in the fall of 2006 Bergstrom began researching the material to see how she could implement it in her teaching. She came to use case studies and shorter manage mentor exercises for the students.

With the start of the winter semester, her Group Dynamics classes began using Harvard Case Studies. She was working right along with the students learning the same things they were and studying the materials given.

Once a week students were required to complete a Manage Mentor, which is a part of Harvard's materials, a step-by-step lesson that “prepares students though online case scenarios, articles, and descriptions to teach principles.” Bergstrom said.

Brigham Young University-Idaho received a license from Harvard to be able to use these materials. It is the only university in the country with such a relationship.

“It gives them an edge in understanding. It has added to the rigor, and to the interest of the students. I feel that they will be better -prepared,” Bergstrom said.

Bergstrom hopes that with the availability and great lessons Harvard Business School has to offer , more students on campus will be able to experience these great tools.