Transforming a highly tactile entrepreneurship course “ideas to innovation” to an entirely online delivery model: lessons for theory and practice

Abstract

Recent changes in education due to COVID-19 required a shift from classroom to online delivery. This chapter illustrates how a highly complex training program, Ideas to Innovation (i2i), responded to this challenge. i2i is based on experiential learning including a variety of activities carried out both in large and small groups with the intention to raise delegates’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy. In this case study, we illustrate the process by which the program was delivered online for the first time since its existence and how the online delivery of an entrepreneurial program contributed to participants raised level of entrepreneurial intent. We took a qualitative approach by conducting structured (written) and semi-structured interviews with participants. We triangulated the data with insights and reflections of the facilitators engaged in the online delivery. The findings indicate that even when i2i is delivered online, it raised participants’ level of entrepreneurial intent. We also found that digital interaction and collaboration among participants and facilitators on various platforms promoted the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. By highlighting this change in delivery and design, we contribute to the ongoing debate of digitally supported education for entrepreneurship and provide insights to redesign entrepreneurial training programs.