After rigorous criticism on trait approach and with the emergence of behavioral approach in entrepreneurship during 1980s, the researchers started to introduce learning and cognitive theories in entrepreneurship to describe and explain the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship. Many researchers have described venture creation as a core and the single most important element of entrepreneurship. This thesis will discuss and present the role of entrepreneurial learning and heuristics in venture creation. Hence, the purpose of this research thesis is to study and analyze the role of entrepreneurial learning and heuristics in venture creation. To fulfill the purpose of this thesis, we followed qualitative research and conducted semi structured interviews with open ended questionnaires to collect empirical data. For this study, we have included only four interviews which were conducted on four different businesses based in Jönköping, Sweden, following convenience sampling. In the analysis, we used data analysis model of Walker, Cooke and McAllister (2008) and inductively generated three propositions, depicting the role and importance of entrepreneurial learning and heuristics in venture creation. Individuals adopt entrepreneurship in their careers with necessary skills, abilities, and knowledge, which are learned or gained through experiential learning and/or vicarious learning (i.e., learning by observing or modeling the actions of others). Learning by doing is considered the most important factor by entrepreneurs which helped them to overcome different business start up hurdles, to make various entrepreneurial decisions and to perform many entrepreneurial activities during venture creation. Similarly, individuals within their own situation use, learning by observing or modeling other people’s behaviour, actions and consequences of the actions. Entrepreneurs use learning by modeling the behaviour and actions of others as benchmarking strategy during venture creation. Entrepreneurs believe that without any learning they will not be able to start their own businesses. Heuristics as decisions making mechanism, particularly during venture creation, is used by entrepreneurs as simplifying strategy when sufficient information related to a specific market, certain industry and products are scarce. Additionally, entrepreneurs are passionate to grab profitable business opportunity, and due to time pressure and brief window of opportunity, they can’t go for gathering each and every information of the potential business or product. Hence, heuristics as decisions making mechanism is considered the best suitable approach to make many entrepreneurial decisions during venture creation.

Community-based ecosystem management (CBEM) is increasingly advocated as a way to conserve biodiversity, monitor, and maintain ecosystem functions in the context of local land use practices through an inclusive management approach. However, while CBEM is based in principles of inclusion, there is very little attention in environmental management and education literature directed to the role of youth in stewardship activities, and the environmental learning outcomes and other meanings that may result from these practices.<p>The purpose of this thesis is to describe participatory and experiential environmental learning carried out in the Frenchman River Basin, Southwestern Saskatchewan. Here, I investigated how students participation in an ecological monitoring program contributed to their understanding of their local environment and to their sense of place, and considered how the development of a learning community among students, teachers, community members, and academic researchers influenced these processes.<p>This research adopts a mixed methods approach, employing knowledge-based tests to explore student learning outcomes and using interpretations of place through student photographs and interviews to examine their sense of place. I take a phenomenological approach to defining what constitutes place for students, as well as how sense of place is formed for them, elucidating how their experiences participating in the ecological monitoring program entered the process of meaning construction.<p>This case study found that both experiential and participatory approaches to learning helped foster environmental understanding as well as place appreciation and attachment. The Frenchman River, previously described as a taken-for-granted feature of the familiar landscape and largely associated with its agricultural importance, was re-negotiated as a social space, a place of play, learning, and biological significance. Research findings also suggest that place meanings are deeply rooted in students rural identity, and that this influenced their participant experience, independent of environmental learning outcomes. <p>The creation of a learning community was a mobilizing force for school-based ecological monitoring and information sharing, while acting as a source of symbolic significance for student participants, helping students to see their place from the perspective of an outsider.

Bakgrund: I och med samhällets globalisering ökar möjligheterna för revisionsmedarbetare till internationell rörlighet länder emellan. En svensk revisionsmedarbetare har idag möjlighet att åka på en utbytesperiod för att tillägna sig ny kunskap; såväl professionell som privat, vilket det finns olika tillvägagångssätt för. Samhälleliga, privata och arbetsmässiga kulturkrockar är något som en revisionsmedarbetare kan uppleva genom ett utbyte. För revisionsmedarbetare bör det vara nyttigt att erfara sådana här skillnader för att skapa ny kunskap, utveckla sin egna samt kunna dela med sig av denna. Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka vilken utbyteskunskap en svensk revisionsmedarbetare har av ett utbyte till USA, hur denna tillägnas, samt om denna kunskap går att implementera i det fortsatta arbetet i Sverige. Definitioner: Utbyteskunskap definieras i denna uppsats som den typ av kunskap som tillägnas vid ett utbyte. Med kunskap avses sådan som kan användas inom revisionsyrket, vilket innefattar kunskap om arbetsmetoder, tillvägagångssätt, sociala förhållanden samt regelverkens uppbyggnad. Resultat och slutsatser: Resultatet av studien konstaterar att utbyteskunskapen består i privata--‐, kulturella--‐ och arbetsmässiga områden, vilka tillägnas genom erfarenhetsbaserat lärande samt praktisk involvering i samhället. / Background: Considering the globalization of society, the possibility for audit associates to be internationally mobile increases. Today, a Swedish audit associate has the opportunity to leave for an exchange period to acquire new knowledge, both professionally and personally, where the approach differs. Audit associates are exposed to the societal, individual, and work--‐related cultural clashes, which arise from an international exchange. It would be useful for an audit associate to experience such clashes to be able to acquire new knowledge, develop pre--‐existing knowledge, as well as to share it. Aim: The aim with this research is to study the exchange knowledge a Swedish audit associate experiences from a period in the U.S., how this knowledge is acquired, and if it is implementable in to further work in Sweden. Definitions: Exchange knowledge is in this research defined as the type of knowledge that is acquired due to an exchange. Knowledge refers to a kind that could be used within the audit profession, which includes knowledge regarding work--‐methods, procedures, social conditions and the structure of the regulations. Results and conclusion: The result of the research is that the benefit lies in individual-, cultural- and work‐related areas which are acquired through experiential learning and also by involvement in society.

Community-based ecosystem management (CBEM) is increasingly advocated as a way to conserve biodiversity, monitor, and maintain ecosystem functions in the context of local land use practices through an inclusive management approach. However, while CBEM is based in principles of inclusion, there is very little attention in environmental management and education literature directed to the role of youth in stewardship activities, and the environmental learning outcomes and other meanings that may result from these practices.<p>The purpose of this thesis is to describe participatory and experiential environmental learning carried out in the Frenchman River Basin, Southwestern Saskatchewan. Here, I investigated how students participation in an ecological monitoring program contributed to their understanding of their local environment and to their sense of place, and considered how the development of a learning community among students, teachers, community members, and academic researchers influenced these processes.<p>This research adopts a mixed methods approach, employing knowledge-based tests to explore student learning outcomes and using interpretations of place through student photographs and interviews to examine their sense of place. I take a phenomenological approach to defining what constitutes place for students, as well as how sense of place is formed for them, elucidating how their experiences participating in the ecological monitoring program entered the process of meaning construction.<p>This case study found that both experiential and participatory approaches to learning helped foster environmental understanding as well as place appreciation and attachment. The Frenchman River, previously described as a taken-for-granted feature of the familiar landscape and largely associated with its agricultural importance, was re-negotiated as a social space, a place of play, learning, and biological significance. Research findings also suggest that place meanings are deeply rooted in students rural identity, and that this influenced their participant experience, independent of environmental learning outcomes. <p>The creation of a learning community was a mobilizing force for school-based ecological monitoring and information sharing, while acting as a source of symbolic significance for student participants, helping students to see their place from the perspective of an outsider.

The study uses the nonequivalent quasi-experiment designs to explore the effects of integrating experiential learning into life education through picture books for third grade elementary students¡¦ life attitude instant and continuous influences. Samples were taken from two classes of third grade elementary students in Kaohsiung County. Twenty students in the class one as experimental group, nineteen students in the class two as control group. The duration of the course took two hours a week until ten weeks in the field of ¡§Integrative Activities Learning Area.¡¨ The experimental group uses the method of integrating experiential learning while the control group uses the traditional teaching method. The elementary school students¡¦ life attitude evaluation scale is based on ANCOVA (on-way Analysis of Covariance). The research also adopted qualitative research method, which includes worksheet, students¡¦ session feedback forms and teacher¡¦s examination. The result showed significant differences between two groups as follows: 1. Students in experimental group were more interested in experiencing activities, which could improve their learning motivation. 2. The thesis is based on the experiential learning cycle designed by Kolb(1984) and the guidance of the discussion by Henton(1996). Integrating experiential learning into life education through picture books and a direct participation in the events of life have greater effect on third grade students. Further, Reflective Observation was the important phase of students¡¦ learning processes; the teacher must pay more attention to this area for students to develop their own ability of self-reflection. 3. The experimental group showed instant influences on ¡§Self Acceptance¡¨ and ¡§Emotion Management¡¨ in the life attitude evaluation scale. 4. The experimental group showed continuous influences on ¡§life attitude¡¨ and ¡§cooperation among classmates¡¨ in the life attitude evaluation scale. 5. The study has a conclusion indicated that the integrating experiential learning into life education through picture books encourages students to explore the meaning and value of their life. 6. Teachers could have better comprehension of children¡¦s motivation and improve personal growth during the course. Based on findings, several constructive suggestions were proposed for schools and further research

The purpose of this study was to create a model for student learning in knowledge translation and transfer in Ontario. The study was informed by two focus groups, each associated with a student research communications skill development program at the University of Guelph, called Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge (SPARK). One focus group (n=9) consisted of current and former SPARK participants. The second focus group (n=10) consisted of SPARK stakeholders who had variously supported SPARK through projects or benevolence, or had helped administer the program. Based on focus group feedback, a conceptual model was developed showing how SPARK participants translate knowledge from university researchers and transfer it to members of society, various communities (agriculture, health, environment, etc.) and stakeholders including the media, government and industry.

The purpose of this study was to assess student knowledge and perceptions of factors influencing participation in Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. This descriptive study was conducted in 120 randomly selected agricultural education programs throughout four purposively selected states representative of the National FFA regions. Within each state the programs randomly selected to participate were from FFA divisions characterized as having urban city-centers with outlying rural/suburban areas. Students in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, and Utah completed a researcher-designed questionnaire assessing knowledge and perceptions on factors influencing SAE participation. A response rate of 43.3% (N = 120, n = 52) was achieved, with questionnaires completed by 1,038 students. According to findings of this study 45.6% (n = 473) of the students participated in SAE programs, with most categorized as an entrepreneurship SAE and classified as a livestock project. Students could only identify at most three of five SAE categories, and those without a SAE program were either not or somewhat familiar with the five SAE categories. Students surveyed in Missouri and Utah appeared to have the strongest SAE knowledge. Each state appeared to have three main types of school resources available for use by student SAE programs. Student perceptions indicated that teachers did encourage all students to have a SAE program and apply for awards and recognition; however, most did not receive awards and recognition for their SAE program. Students reported receiving SAE help from their teacher on a monthly basis most frequently. Most students used a paper-based SAE record book which they updated weekly or monthly. Students on average received a total of nine to 34 days of classroom SAE instruction and a total of eight to 33 days of classroom recordkeeping instruction during enrollment in agricultural education courses. Factors such as enjoyment of agricultural education courses, parental and teacher support and encouragement, resources (money and facilities), and opportunities for awards and recognition did not seem to influence student SAE participation. Contrary to previous research, involvement in community and school activities did not seem to negatively influence student SAE participation. Students did not believe they needed more SAE and recordkeeping instruction.

Research shows the environment affects the user both psychologically and physiologically. Teachers often alter their classrooms in order to effect these changes, for instance, by adding elements for warmth, offsetting harsh lighting, or using found objects to mark and divide space. Research and observed use communicate a need for a planned variety of spaces in function and in character. The project is a redesign of Therrell High School in southwest Atlanta seeking to complement the new movement to small learning communities, which embeds programmatic variety in the public school system. Therrell is divided into three small thematically described academies, which effectively function as three separate high schools: the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; the School of Health Sciences and Research; the School of Law, Government, and Public Policy. The design focuses on the necessary variability of spaces inherent in small learning communities. These spaces seek to address the varied instructional strategies that accompany the thematic endeavors of each school and introduce variety in architectural character, thus accommodating variable needs and desires of students. The focus of the project is on the student and the nature of space that fosters positive experiences as well as positive learning outcomes.

Learning-by-doing learning environments support a wealth of physical engagement in activities. However, there is also a lot of variability in what participants learn in each enactment of these types of environments. Therefore, it is not always clear how participants are learning in these environments. In order to design technologies to support learning in these environments, we must have a greater understanding of how participants engage in learning activities, their goals for their engagement, and the types of help they need to cognitively engage in learning activities. To gain a greater understanding of participant engagement and factors and circumstances that promote and inhibit engagement, this dissertation explores and answers several questions: What are the types of interactions and experiences that promote and /or inhibit learning and engagement in learning-by-doing learning environments? What are the types of configurations that afford or inhibit these interactions and experiences in learning-by-doing learning environments? I explore answers to these questions through the context of two enactments of Kitchen Science Investigators (KSI), a learning-by-doing learning environment where middle-school aged children learn science through cooking from customizing recipes to their own taste and texture preferences. In small groups, they investigate effects of ingredients through the design of cooking and science experiments, through which they experience and learn about chemical, biological, and physical science phenomena and concepts (Clegg, Gardner, Williams,&Kolodner, 2006). The research reported in this dissertation sheds light on the different ways participant engagement promotes and/or inhibits cognitive engagement in by learning-by-doing learning environments through two case studies. It also provides detailed descriptions of the circumstances (social, material, and physical configurations) that promote and/or inhibit participant engagement in these learning environments through cross-case analyses of these cases. Finally, it offers suggestions about structuring activities, selecting materials and resources, and designing facilitation and software-realized scaffolding in the design of these types of learning environments. These design implications focus on affording participant engagement in science content and practices learning. Overall, the case studies, cross-case analyses, and empirically-based design implications begin to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the design and implementation of these learning environments. This is demonstrated by providing detailed and explanatory examples and factors that affect how participants take up the affordances of the learning opportunities designed into these learning environments.

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 246-247).