Crowdfunding Education: Objectives, Content, Pedagogy, and Assessment

Abstract

Despite its rapid growth, little attention has been given to education and training in crowdfunding. Such training is important for ensuring the healthy and ethical development of the crowdfunding industry by educating the public about the challenges and risks as well as the merits and benefits of crowdfunding. While many may have heard the term ‘crowdfunding’, it often remains poorly understood by the larger public. Hence, this chapter argues the need for crowdfunding dedicated education programmes, while presenting a concrete course programme based on the Crowdfunding Lab developed at the University of Agder in Norway. The Crowdfunding Lab is to our knowledge one of the first university courses being offered and will thus provide unique insight. The course objectives, content, pedagogy, and assessment procedures are discussed, and opportunities for further developments are outlined. This chapter concludes with implications for educators, as well as with relevant suggestions for research.