Abstract

Anchored instruction is one of a number of contemporary approaches to teaching grounded in a technological context such as a video or computer simulation to provide a rich problem-solving environment for students. This paper begins by reviewing the literature on anchored instruction, both by its original proponents and other writers, identifying and reviewing its key theoretical concepts and practical applications. This is followed by a review of some evaluative studies of its use in different educational settings. Its potential for use in teaching an introductory management subject to undergraduate business students with little or no work experience is then discussed, based on preliminary findings of a pilot study that made use of some of the basic concepts and methods of the approach. The findings suggest the approach was well received and has the potential to enhance learning in areas where students have limited “real-life” experience.