Teaching Philosophy

Dr. Edgell’s teaching philosophy fuses problem framing and solving, adapted from design thinking, with proven management education approaches. He varies his style and content to support the desired learning outcome (cognitive awareness, knowledge acquisition, or behavior change) and student maturity. For younger students, he stimulates imagination and questioning by integrating deficit techniques. For mature participants, he explains theory, demonstrates practical relevance, and encourages the sharing and incorporation of participants’ valuable expertise. He creates courses that use positive reinforcements, are functional and thematically structured, and encourage active participant involvement.  His delivery style is a combination of facilitator, stimulator, and expert. He establishes the classroom as a nurturing community so that students feel free to take risks and learn. To enhance engagement, comprehension, and retention, he utilizes an exciting, rich mix of media including the written and spoken word, visual aids such as cognitive maps, kinetic participation, case studies, distance learning, and critical discussions.

Recent Student Evaluations

Business Values and Ethics—earned an overall MBA instructor score of 4.8 out of 5 (5 = excellent). Spring 2008

Change and Innovation—earned an average (6 items) MBA instructor score of 6.5 (7 = max. possible). Spring 2008

Business Policy & Strategy—earned an average (6 items, 3 sections) undergraduate instructor score of 6.8 (7 = max. possible). Fall 2008

Seminar in Strategic Management—earned an overall MBA instructor score of 1.1 (1 = excellent, 5 = poor). Summer 2007

Five Simple Secrets for Becoming a Great Manager—received highest faculty satisfaction score (2.8 out of 3.0 maximum possible) from international executive MBA students. Fall 2004