That’s What “Generation We” Said? - The Office Enables Active Learning and Improved Retention in the Modern Human Resource Management Classroom

ABSTRACT This research examines the use of popular media in curriculum to engage undergraduate students. It discusses opportunities and challenges faced by educators who use popular television media as a practicum in their curriculum and suggests best practices for pre- and post-viewing dialog and discussion. The results of a 14-semester longitudinal study reveal a significant number of students making specific, positive reference to The Office in qualitative portions of their end of the semester evaluations. Overall, these students prefer behavioral modeling over traditional case studies and believe aligning class topics with The Office is stimulating because it holds their interest, and makes the class more engaging. Perhaps most significant, students believe utilization of The Office provides an avenue for them to discuss controversial HRM issues in a safe and tangible way without having to disclose current or prior work situations, and in situations where students may otherwise choose to remain silent.