A case study of the development, use and impact of an online module for teaching financial literacy

Patrick K P Chan
SIM University
Singapore

In their quest for the enhancement of personal financial literacy, researchers have for several decades analysed the behaviour and intentions of individuals and their attempts to manage their personal financial learning. Notably, their research findings suggest that there is a gap between an individual’s behavioural intention and the actions required to accomplish the financial goals.

This case study examines how an online elective module — leveraging on technology and innovations in flexible curriculum development and blended learning pedagogy — was developed for the teaching of financial literacy and to bridging the gap between intention and action.

More specifically, this case study discusses the flexible curriculum development and blended learning pedagogy adopted for an online module (COR167 Managing Your Personal Finance) that is offered as an elective to over 1,000 undergraduates each semester at the SIM University. It identifies the major challenges encountered during the different phases of project management from the conception to the delivery of the online module. It also highlights the practical issues faced in bridging the gap between students’ intentions and actions through the delivery of various e-learning components comprising online discussion, online quiz and face-to-face facilitation, as well as the post-course student feedback.

The lessons drawn from this case study will make a significant contributions to the domain of online module development and delivery, as well as providing a good source of motivations for online course developers. In addition, it also serves as a key impetus for the current development of a 100% online module Money 101 with enhanced ubiquitous teaching and learning.