Mentoring the Students to Match the Standard of Academics - Essay Example

Problem and Solution (Mentoring the to match the standard of academics) Synopsis: This article acts like a trumpet call for the teachers toidentify the problems in grading the students because the writer feels that the grades offered to the students are no longer reflecting their true abilities in the concerned subject areas. Also the article points out at the problems the writer has faced in a real time situation and the solutions he has offered to overcome the problems. Introduction Being a faculty member in a business school is more or less a very demanding job presently. Because not only the faculties have to shape individuals into pupils who can cope with the demands of academics but the faculties have to make them realize the persons they are. Many times it is often observed that students by the time they complete their Bachelors or schooling have a feeling they have learnt everything and they have a reason to believe so. Many of them do carry excellent grades in their bachelors or at schools which are never a true reflection of their own selves. Partly the problem is because of the tight academic schedules the institutions are maintaining and partly because the faculty are unable to encourage and inspire their pupils to learn the concepts and understand their applicability too. Previously institutions or universities never used to maintain such demanding schedules, therefore the faculty used to have all the time in the world to prepare the students for the academic challenges. Presently Universities are more bent on sending number of batches out rather than worrying about the quality of the academics offered. For the academia this, indeed has become the greatest worry, especially in a developing country like India. The challenge is up the academia to offer a solution which can make the students saleable to the corporate. Problem Identification: The fact that is quite disturbing is that the problem is not because of the grades the students were receiving but because of the poor quality of assessment that is taking place in offering the grades and parameters used to offer grades. The sublime truth is that presently in schools and colleges at bachelor's level we are teaching students' concepts without application (especially in India). All the time the teachers will be focusing on the teaching of concepts and the students will be focusing on learning the concepts. However the student is not aware of how to apply this particular concept in a real time situation. There by all the meaning of education is lost without a trace. The identified problem areas are: The grades are not reflecting the competency of wards in their subjects, This problem is because they are learning concepts all the time without knowledge of application of concepts in a real time situation, the examination system is designed to test their remembering skills rather than testing their conceptual skills, Poor selection of parameters such as written examination and in descriptive mode to analyze application of concepts. Study importance: The study is of prominence in colleges and schools because without learning the application of the concepts in real time situations if the student is exposed to the rigors the academics at higher levels then there is every possibility he/she can become a burnout very soon. Moreover because of the excellent grades they are receiving in colleges and schools because of an insufficient evaluation system, the student feels that he has acquired sufficient skills to enter into a university or take a job, in reality he is not. Challenge for the faculty: The big challenge for the faculty is the fact that they have to make the student understand the ground realities so that ice breaking can be done. Ice breaking is an exercise normally carried out in schools and colleges to make the students feel comfortable realize the persons they are will be easy in the later stages. Once the ice breaking is done then the faculty can turn his/her attention to the task at hand. That is to train and retrain the wards to meet the corporate requirements. Strategies: The strategy which is vogue now a day is an approach called as a participative approach. Many times the problem that a student confronted with questions such as where can we apply these concepts, how do we apply these concepts, what is the benefit for the organization or for me by using the concept Participative approach offers a method to answer all these above said questions. In reality participative approach is one using which the faculty/trainer understand his pupils, their ego states, their abilities, skills and weaknesses ( SWOT analysis), their learning abilities, training requirements, developing training methods to suit individual needs (customization), application of the training methods through a program or a series of steps. Action plan to overcome implement the strategies: Through participative approach many managements have actually overcame tougher challenges. They were able to implement the same successfully in dealing with employees' attitude, Employee empowerment, and organization development as a whole. In this case "mentoring students to face the harsh realities of academics at higher levels", the participatory management approach can be applied in the following phases Designing work methods to learn the application of concepts: In this case methods such as case study method and live project method can be used to help the student in understanding the same. Use of personality tests: (John Holland's test) to analyze and understand the pupils' ego states, personalities, attitudes etc. Use of attitude, aptitude and observation skills tests to understand their learning abilities. (Clerical aptitude questions, mathematical ability, logical ability questions can be asked, hearing skills and body language will define their observational skills). Training methods: Use of training methods such as on the job training. On the job training is a method in which the student is exposed to the real time work situation in which the student is expected to use his concepts and conduct the work. For example students learning carpentry are given small carpentry assignments where they have to use all their skills to get the work done. Off the job training is method used in the class room where the teacher creates a replica of the situation which resembles the real life situation and asks pupils to use their concepts. For example students learning "C" computer language are often given simulation exercises such as the preparation of a software program for better administration of keeping of attendance in a school etc. Methods such as these will set the tone for the change and by using components such as Live Projects* (See appendix # 1) and Case Study* (see appendix # 2). Implementation of the training program: Can be done in a series of steps as given below: Methodology Define Titles of the work: The work to be carried over by the student, the industry or organization where the study is proposed to be done. Brief the student on the concepts to be used in the work place and if possible give examples of how and what sort of work to be expected at the work place. Suggest the right methodology: Suggest them methods to collect necessary primary data* (see appendix # 3) and secondary data* (see appendix # 4). Data collection is an ongoing process. Therefore check and recheck the validity of the data that is collected and its sufficiency. Ex: For example if the student is conducting a study on Customer perceptions, then make sure the researcher is speaking to customers only and not a convenient sample* (see Appendix # 5 ) of people. Data Analysis: Ask the students to collate data, seek information from that and make analysis out of the collected data. Thereby the students' concept application skills can be tested. Ex: For example by using pie charts and bar diagrams students make analyze the data they have collected. Intelligent use of computer tools can make learning a much better process. Findings: Ask students to offer their findings from the study and what betterments can be brought out through suggestions. Conclusion: In this case the problem of mentoring the students to make them understand the nuances of the corporate world and the difference between the class room education and the practical application of concepts were dealt in detail and suggestive measures were given in detail with a solution to the problem specified. Appendix: 1. Live Project: An assignment given to the students to carry out a specific task in the organizations where they have used the concepts to conduct the work. 2. Case Study: A tool which explains about problems faced in organizations and discusses the possible outcomes and strategies. 3. Primary data: Data which is collected directly from the sample is called as primary data. The data can be collected through administering questionnaire or through interview methods. 4. Secondary data: Data which is collected to supplement the primary data through other sources such books, journals, internet etc. 5. A sample of people on whim the researcher wants to conducts his study despite the fact that the sample does not have all the required characteristics of the sample. References: Carlisle, K. E. (1986) . Analyzing Jobs and Tasks. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications, Inc. Elliott, J. (1991) Action research for educational change. Buckingham: Open University Press. Forward, D. (1989). A guide to Action Research. The management of change. P. Lomas. London, Multilingual Matters: 29-39. Read More