INNOVATIVE METHODS IN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION - "SIMULATED FIRMS"

Simulated firms are a modern educational method, whose purpose is to develop student's business skills through simulation of internal processes which take place in a real firm and its relationships with other firms and institutions. The simulated firm is conceived to learn and improve economical and juridical knowledge, forming personal aptitudes and skills which can be applied in all economical areas, from basic functions to leading positions inside an enterprise. The orientation towards learning outcomes implies the need for competence-based learning as well as a competence-based student assessment. The ideas for innovative self and peer assessment presented in this article enable individualized business education. Furthermore, various methods and instruments for a multidimensional design of students' assessment are introduced, such as assessment circle (360 degrees feedback), portfolio, learning diary, and skills demonstration and appraisal interview. All introduced assessment methods are either based on the concept of self-evaluation or on the concept of evaluation by others.