A Capstone Course Linking Geography Knowledge and Entrepreneurship Skills: An Instructional Approach to Entrepreneurship Education

Abstract

• Various entrepreneurship initiatives benefit from advanced technology and information in fields like geography and demography. The goal of this research is to discuss the design of a capstone course that aims to connect relevant geographical and business knowledge as an integral part of entrepreneurship education at the UAE University. Using case study method, this capstone course incorporates teaching methods based on the problem-based learning (PBL) to deliver blended business knowledge and experience through a series of sessions modelled on PBL and entrepreneurship concepts designed to develop the students' entrepreneurship skills in the context of geography capstone course. 20 senior students in geography capstone courses involved in entrepreneurship learning in 2018. Later, they participated in a questionnaire survey, where the collected data quantitatively analysed. Also, a second survey of 20 students enrolled in geography projects-based courses were surveyed in 2020 to explore the influence of students learning experience during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic. Study findings revealed that the students strongly agreed on the content of the questionnaire (12 items). This study recognised the gap in the experience and education of entrepreneurship professionals and the needs of today's business job market. Thus, the designed capstone course envisioned a learning solution to bridge the existing gap. A second survey revealed that applying diverse online learning methods have positively influenced students learning experience during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students demonstrated their ability to create regional solutions and applications of economic benefit.