Publication: Entrepreneurship Success Stories: Implications for Teaching and Learning

Societal trends and personal characteristics are
facilitating movement from corporate to self-employment.
The entrepreneurship movement is characterized by several
trends that are influencing the way people work: such as
younger workers expecting shorter-term commitments to work,
expanding career options, opening of worldwide operations,
and technological advances that make it possible to work at
home. Successful entrepreneurs usually are perceptive,
innovative, creative, self-directed, action oriented,
confident, collaborative, persevering, and decisive.
Entrepreneurship education extends beyond technical and
financial considerations. Strategies that educators can use
to promote higher-order thinking, in-depth understanding,
and high-quality achievement (behaviors and skills
associated with entrepreneurship) include the following:
(1) situate learning in the context of its real-world
application; (2) require in-depth understanding of a
concept or issue; (3) provide learning activities that
enable students to engage in their preferred styles of
learning; (4) make classrooms student centered; (5)
integrate content and context; (6) become a coach and
mentor rather than a dispenser of knowledge; (7) require
collaboration and teamwork; (8) require students to achieve
high intellectual standards; and (9) engage students in
exploration, inquiry, problem solving, and reflection.