The concept of Jim Collins’ Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) can be strategically applied to create a defining purpose for a course or program. A BHAG is a clear and compelling target for an organization to strive for. In the context of a course or program, a BHAG could be a challenging project or a transformative learning outcome that students work towards throughout the course. This goal should be ambitious yet achievable, inspiring students to stretch their capabilities and engage deeply with the course material (Collins & Porras, 2024).

Transitioning to the topic of meaningful connections in learning, it’s important to note that the traditional education system often emphasizes the accumulation of facts. This approach can limit students’ ability to apply their knowledge in new contexts. Therefore, educators should strive to create learning environments that encourage students to make connections between different concepts, relate new information to their existing knowledge, and see the relevance of what they are learning to their own lives (Crockett, 2024).

However, one must also consider the role of expert bias in the learning environment. Implicit biases can manifest indirectly in the form of false judgments. These biases can undermine learning and alienate students. Therefore, it is crucial for educators to recognize and challenge their own biases and strive to create inclusive, bias-free learning environments (Wilcox et al., 2021).

Finally, considering the role of learner or peer collaboration, it can be a powerful tool to mitigate the effects of expert bias and enhance learning. Peer collaboration can help students to challenge and overcome their own biases by encouraging them to consider and respect their peers’ viewpoints (Center for Teaching Innovation, 2024).

References:

Center for Teaching Innovation. (2024). Collaborative learning. Cornell University-Center for Teaching Innovation. https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/active-collaborative-learning/collaborative-learning

Collins, J., & Porras, J. (2024). BHAG – Big hairy audacious goal. Jim Collins - Articles - BHAG. https://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/BHAG.html

Crockett, L. (2024, January 29). Why developing strong learning connections matters to meaningful learning. Future Focused Learning. https://futurefocusedlearning.net/blog/critical-thinking/why-developing-strong- learning-connections-matters-to-meaningful-learning

Wilcox, A. R., Foster-Johnson, L., & Pinto-Powell, R. (2021). The effect of implicit bias and role misidentification in the learning environment. Medical Science Educator, 32(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021- 01475-9