Designing an online business communication course in English by responding to student needs through an evidence-based approach

Shrestha, Prithvi (2020). Designing an online business communication course in English by responding to student needs through an evidence-based approach. Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 1(1) pp. 47–79.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2021-2003

Abstract

Communication skills are essential for the employability and academic success of business graduates. These skills are either embedded in undergraduate business management courses or taught in a separate course. Designing an English communication course for business management students is reported widely in the literature. However, research on such courses for distance education is scarce despite their increasing demand for distance courses due to an increasing globalisation of higher education and workplaces. This paper reports on the evidence-based design of an award-winning online business communication course in English which responded to changing needs of distance business management students at The Open University, UK. It draws on student needs analysis data (student surveys, online forum posts, industry skills survey reports and a content analysis of business management courses and assignments) and course evaluation surveys to investigate how the online course addressed student needs in terms of course content, teaching and learning, and assessment. It argues that student needs analysis is paramount for any new course design and online delivery because the success of a course relies on meeting student needs. The paper has implications for business communication course design and business communication teachers.