Teaching undergraduate marketing students using 'Hot-Seating Through Puppetry': an exploratory study.

摘要

Changes in preferred methods of learning among many students in recent yearsudhave challenged educators to introduce more interactive and experiential teachingudmethods. ‘Hot seating’ – where a person, such as an invited subject expertudis interviewed by an audience – is a well-established interactive method ofudlearning, but is often limited by availability of willing and suitable interviewees.udIn this exploratory study, university business undergraduates were required toudinteract with a lecturer-operated puppet representing a corporate client intervieweeudin a simulated sales presentation. Reflective diaries were used to gainudinsights into students’ perceptions of this teaching technique. Results suggestudthat students: (i) gained practical business skills; (ii) were exposed to commercialudresponsibilities and (iii) assimilated relevant academic theory. Benefits andudlimitations of ‘hot seating through puppetry’ and its possible contribution toudteaching and learning in a variety of contexts are discussed, together with suggestionsudfor further research.