Dr Schott’s tool was among the 30 innovations selected from 119 entries to AACSB’s annual Innovations That Inspire showcase at its international conference in Hawai’i. Dr Schott’s tool was recognised in the category for ‘Enhancing Approaches to Leadership Education’ and is the only New Zealand entry to be selected in the top 30.
The award category is dedicated to non-traditional opportunities for students to hone their leadership skills.
His innovation is a virtual field trip that, by replicating a real Fijian island and its community, allows Sustainable Tourism Management students to explore sustainable development on the island. Constructed by 3D gaming software and incorporating 15 videoed conversations with Fijian community members, students using virtual reality headsets or computer monitors to explore the island, taking the theories from the course to the ‘field’.
In addition to learning about sustainable development, the students gain leadership skills critical for a sustainable future, and develop awareness as a global citizen.
“Experiential learning through field trips provides students the opportunity to bridge theory and practice,” Dr Schott says.
“But we, as educators, face the dilemma in knowing that the educational benefits of international fieldtrips are at odds with the global need to combat climate change through lowering carbon emissions.
“Through my virtual reality field trip, students can still meaningfully learn from other countries and people, but without contributing to climate change.”
The virtual reality field trip tool was first used in Dr Schott’s second-year course in 2012 but has evolved considerably.
It has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and many universities from abroad have shown strong interest.
Dr Schott says it’s “a great honour” to be recognised by AACSB.
“The submissions came from 90 leading business schools across the world, so it’s great to be selected as an honouree in this competitive field. I’m also looking forward to having the opportunity to share the tool with other business schools, connect with others using virtual reality-based educational tools and learn about other innovations from all corners of the globe.
“I’ve had great support from my colleagues in helping bring my idea to life, particularly Maciu Raivoka from the Centre for Lifelong Learning, Alan Proctor-Thomson from Technobabble, and my colleagues in ITS, and Victoria Business School.
“I’m also grateful to the communities of Yawava-i-rara and Bukama in Fiji for sharing their stories of development and sustainability that feature in the field trip.”
Innovations That Inspire is open to AACSB’s 800 member business schools from around the world.