DRAGONS’ DEN Age group: 16-19 Keywords: Entrepreneurial Skills, Presentation, Group Work, Project Based Learning. Time required: 120 minutes plus homework project Number of people: 9-30 Equipment: Laptop, projector, screen, internet access, whiteboard. Materials: Pens, markers, big sheets of paper. Space: Inside room, part of the session can happen outside. Activity explored and suggested by: Zaklad Doskonalenia Zawodowego w Kielcach - Poland.
Aim of the method: To improve the participants’ knowledge of entrepreneurship, especially the understanding of the processes involved in running a company, to equip them with basic business skills, to spread entrepreneurial mindsets, to foster effective communication and teamwork, to improve presentation skills, creativity and innovation, to develop enthusiasm and self-confidence, and to encourage them to use their initiative. Preparation: As the activity is quite long and involves several stages, different space arrangements should be used for the different parts of it, to make sure the environment is as comfortable as possible and facilitates the learning process. The general idea is to create a warm and friendly environment, build a sense of community, and make sure the participants are actively engaged in learning. The viewing and general discussion part require no tables. To make sure everybody has a clear view of the screen and to facilitate the group discussion, the chairs can be arranged in a semi-circle or a horseshoe. For the second part, which is based on group work, tables should be arranged in such a way as to support cooperation – eg. pushed together to accommodate groups of four, facing each other. Alternatively, the second part can be set as homework. The delivery part should be light, humorous, and fun, participants should be encouraged to engage in preparing the decorations (eg. Dragons’ Den posters, banners, etc.), perhaps dressing up as aspiring business people, etc..
DESCRIPTION INTRO The facilitator welcomes the group. He or she very briefly presents some surprisingly successful business ideas (eg. a portable whiteboard in a roll) and reveals these are start-up first presented on the TV show “Dragon’s Den”. A short discussion on the show’s rules follows. CREATING COMFORT A part of an episode of “Dragons’ Den” is played. A national or English-language version can be used, depending on the language competency of the group. If the method is developed with a younger group, a kids’ version of the show can be played (eg. “Junior Dragons’ Den”).
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