Provide "acknowledged body of knowledge" related to the concept. Emphasize the most significant aspects of the concept in an organized, organic manner. Present information sequentially so students see continuity. Draw attention to important, discrete details; don't swamp students with myriad facts.

Concept diagram History of organizational theory and main concepts Theory as a tool

Objective:

Activity: Having established that people do have a preferred way of seeing things, talk abou the concept of paradigms, using the classic ‘old woman, young girl’ picture and referring to excerpts from Covey and Handy in their learning materials.

Move into lecture format and present a brief history of organizational theory in terms of changing paradigms, with diagrams to illustrate the interrelationships and with references to their management text.

Color code cards to distinguish between the assumptions underlying each theory (how the world is), what people notice and judge (diagnosis) and what they would do to improve things (strategies/techniques). Connect this to the idea of using theory as a tool.