Resources 📎

The Credit Hour Standard

For every credit hour of a course, students should expect:

• 1 hour in class

• 2-3 hours of independent work

For this 3-credit course, that traditionally means:

• 3 hours in class

• 6-9 hours of independent work

• Total: 9-12 hours per week

PALS Time Design

The simulations are carefully structured to respect student time while ensuring deep learning:

• Students spend an average of 2.1 hours on a typical assignment

This means PALS actually requires less time than traditional course expectations, while providing:

• Flexible scheduling (complete assignments when convenient)

• Clear time boundaries (no open-ended assignments)

• Focused, productive work sessions

• Practical skill development

Purpose

Each simulation requires creating a one-slide summary to capture key decisions and insights. This standardizes how learning outcomes are documented and helps build presentation skills.

The Process

1. Download the slide template specific to your simulation by clicking the 📊 icon beneath the corresponding image

2. Fill in each placeholder with your information:

   • Update the title with your company name

   • Replace bullet points as directed in the template

   • Complete talking points following the template prompts

Talking Points Best Practices

• Keep each talking point to 3 sentences maximum

• Focus on being clear and concise

• Connect decisions to your company's specific context

• Follow the prompts in the template exactly as written

Remember

• The template provides specific guidance for what to include

• Every placeholder must be replaced with your content

• Save your completed slide using the required naming convention

• Submit along with other required deliverables

General Submission Guidelines

• Every simulation requires specific deliverables

• Check the icon set below each simulation image for required submissions

• Important: Review the Documentation Guide carefully as it may require additional deliverables beyond what's shown in the icon set

• All work must be submitted through Canvas

Standard Deliverables

ALWAYS submit your PALS conversation (via Shareable link)

When indicated by icons, submit:

• 📋 Completed documentation

• 📊 Summary slide

• 💾 Updated PALS Profile (when required)

Important Notes

• Use consistent file naming for all submissions

• Submit all files in their original format

• Double-check that all required components are included before submitting

Q: How do I make sure the GPT knows about my company? 

A: For every assignment, upload your PALS Profile and explicitly ask the GPT to review it at the start of your conversation. If the GPT's responses don't reflect your company's context, start a new conversation and make sure to emphasize profile review in your opening message.

Q: Help! My GPT seems confused about my company details or is acting unexpectedly. 

A: This could happen for two reasons:

1. The GPT may have failed to read your PALS Profile - start a new conversation and explicitly ask the GPT to review the Profile you've uploaded

2. There might be a mismatch between what you're saying and your profile details - use Edit Prompt to revise your response and provide clearer context

Q: What if I make a mistake during a conversation with a GPT? 

A: You can use the Edit Prompt feature to revise your response during an assignment. However, once you submit the assignment, those decisions are final and will affect future assignments.

Q: Can I change my industry/company after starting? 

A: No - your initial company profile sets the foundation for the entire semester. Take time for careful consideration during the Company Launch Pad conversation.

Q: Do I have to complete assignments in order? 

A: Yes. Each assignment builds on previous ones, and GPTs expect you to have completed prior assignments. The sequence matters for your company's narrative development.

Q: How do I submit my conversations for grading? 

A: For each assignment, create and submit a Shareable link of your conversation. Never delete your conversations, as they are part of your grade.

Q: What if I need to step away in the middle of an assignment? 

A: That's perfectly fine! The chat will remain active and you can return to continue later. Just don't delete the conversation or close the browser tab if you plan to come back.

Q: Sometimes the GPT gives me very different responses than my classmate got. Is this normal? 

A: Yes! This is by design. The GPTs customize their responses based on your specific company profile and previous decisions. No two students should have exactly the same experience.

Q: What if I made a decision in a previous assignment that I wish I could change? 

A: Just like in real business, you have to work with past decisions. Use it as a learning opportunity to think about how to make the best of the situation going forward.

Q: How detailed do my responses need to be? 

A: Aim for clear, thoughtful responses that demonstrate understanding and connect to your company context. One-sentence answers are usually too brief, but you don't need to write essays either. A solid paragraph is often appropriate.