Characteristics of effective management education programs (Farm business management, Small business management)

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of more effective management education programs, from the perspectives of both students and teachers.; The participants were Farm and Small Business Management students in south central Minnesota and FBM and SBM teachers statewide.; Data was collected through a survey that asked participants to evaluate program effectiveness and to assign a descriptiveness score to a series of characteristics statements.; Findings confirmed a preference for individual, one-on-one instruction. Interesting, knowledgeable teachers emphasized instruction in management concepts and data based decision-making. They practiced traditional adult learning concepts; treating students as adults, recognizing life experiences, making lessons relevant to students' needs, and making them feel comfortable in the educational setting. Primary differences reported by more effective programs were a greater utilization of group class instruction and correlation of that instruction to individual instruction, and an expectation that once taught the technical skills students will perform their own work.