Cognitive Skill Development to Support Biculturalism and Entrepreneurial Innovation

ABSTRACT Acculturation is correlated with creativity and the higher‐order cognitive skills identified in the contemporary revision (Krathwohl 2002) of Bloom's taxonomy (1956). The skills supporting bicultural integration are the same skills that engender innovation in entrepreneurial business ventures. Scholars have recognized experiential learning (EL) as an established and effective pedagogy in developing cognitive skills for decades in organizational and professional development disciplines. EL is becoming more widely appreciated for its efficacy in developing advanced cognitive skills, such as critical thinking and abstract conceptualization, which are essential to bicultural integration and innovation. EL is only effective when the cycle of discovery is completed and is most effective when an educator facilitates the process. Learners are less likely to benefit if they do not have support to facilitate their reflection on the experience and how to apply what they have learned to other milieus. A growing body of literature provides evidence of best practices across diverse learning environments.