Student Engagement - Holy Grail of Online Education

When learning technology and learning content becomes uniform and free for all online educators, the key differentiation will be the learning design. Engaging the students online is an important part of learning design.

There are few advantages of online student engagement:

- Introverts or shy students feel comfortable.
- The success of Facebook and Youtube shows that people throughout the world love online presence.
- 24 x7 availability and flexibility

How do you reward good student engagement?

An online student who will get a good grade point for interaction will be:

- one who posts relevant questions or content
- one who gives good answers to queries of others
- one who summarizes the points of a discussion

How do you monitor online presence of students?

In a panel discussion conducted by myBskool about 'Online Management Education - Emerging Trends', Prof Xavier of IIM Ranchi gave a few interesting points.

- Biometric login of online students for unique recognition
- Every 10 minutes, a web camera captures your face to find out if you are awake, present, and not asleep.
- Both erring faculty and erring students can be identified

So, that reduces the doubts you may have about the versatality of online student engagement process.

In the video below, lot of online educators share their views and methods for online student engagement. 

           

Raising Money for a Startup - A Nice Take

The video gives a nice introduction about assets, angel investors, shares, valuation, and dilution.

How Does myBskool make Videos on Management?

myBskool sources the best professors and/or industry experts for each subject such as economics, accounting, banking, strategic management, supply chain management, MIS, and more. myBskool has a database of more than 20 professors who have done their Ph.D and have submitted research papers in national and international forums. Many professors are alumni of IIT and IIM. The professors make powerpoint presentations based on their experience and the latest books and journals that myBskool gives them. The presentations are vetted for content and language quality. Then the professor talks about the presentation in the studio adding his/her viewpoints on the fly. The studio has the latest infrastructure and software to produce high-quality videos. 

myBskool now offers 1500+ power-packed video lectures, 6000+ powerpoint audio lessons, and case study discussions on video/podcast. These videos are suitable for various platforms such as tablets, PC, and smartphones. 

A professor getting ready for the video shoot

Learning at Home

Zubeida is in the family way. Her family is very conservative and wants her to stay at home till she delivers. Zubeida is thrilled to be a mom and enjoys her wait. However, she does not want to sit idle at home. She was a HR executive in an IT firm and has a cumulative work experience of eight years.

She was talking with her friend Vinod and was exchanging sweet nothings. Vinod told her that he was doing a PGDM from myBskool. He was doing a specialization in Human Resources and the course material will be from IMT Ghaziabad who are leaders in the online education space. Zubeida was wondering if she could pursue the course and keep herself occupied. Vinod told her that she should give it a shot.

A New Way for Employee Engagement and Retention

Hrithik has been working with Jade, an IT MNC, for more than 5 years. He got the long-serving employee award when he completed 5 years. He is also a star performer. 

Mukesh was the HR manager at Jade. When scanning employee mails for surveillance, Mukesh found out that many employees including Hrithik were looking for greener pastures. They seemed to have reached a saturation level at Jade.

"What can i do to hold and stimulate employees?, " thought Mukesh. Then he came across an advertisement by myBskool offering one year PGDM from IMT Ghaziabad. Mukesh thought, "Ah, a management qualification from a reputed institute for Rs. 60,000. I can enroll some of my star performers in the course and Jade can pay the expenses. This must retain the stars for a longer time and keep them motivated." Mukesh picked up the phone and called myBskool. So, what are you planning to keep your employees motivated? 

Corporate Silence and Complex Emoting

Human beings are the only species equipped with the hardware to suppress feelings and to express the opposite of their real feelings deliberately. One of the forms this takes is the power of silence.

Silence can take many forms in corporate life. You may keep silent about your real views during a discussion. Later you may make a cynical comment to signal your opposition or even actively subvert any attempt at implementation. Alternatively, you may actually indicate your positive support, though your real view is opposite. Basically, silence is practised out of fear.

This silence is because of the third and most evolved part of the human brain known as the neo-cortex. This cortex holds two uniquely human capabilities: the first is the power of logical and rational thinking and the second is the capability of expressing 'complex' emotions. Complex emoting is the ability to express an emotion which you do not actually feel or experience. 

- When the Penny Drops by R.Gopalakrishnan

Applying Six Thinking Hats to myBskool PGDM

Hey, do you have lot of doubts about doing an online management program? Let us use the The Six Thinking Hats of Edward De Bono to analyze the myBskool PGDM course. Now, you will wear the hats as a student and brainstorm about the myBskool courses.

Today, June 21st is World Music Day

Music is the most beautiful sound that can pass through our ear. Music is a natural medicine and gives stress relief and boosts your spirit. Today, June 21st is World Music Day. In 1976, an American musician, Joel Cohen, employed by the national French radio station, France Musique thought of a day dedicated to celebrating music. in 1982, the thought became reality with the French Government blessing Fete' de la Musique. Two of the caveats to being sanctioned by the official Fête de la Musique organization in Paris are that all concerts must be free to the public, and all In Paris and Ile-de-France, the return of summer is celebrated in music. 

The music day was created in 1982. This nation-wide party of the people has become so important that it has even been exported to over a hundred foreign countries. On 21st June, both amateur and professional musicians take to the streets to let their creativity run wild.

In squares, public gardens and alleyways improvised stages are erected and sound systems blossom at the windows. Electro DJs, classical, jazz or accordion groups, choirs, French chanson, pop rock or traditional bands...everyone dances and sings with their family and friends in a joyful cacophony. Bars, concert venues, festivals (and also museums, churches, conservatoires etc...) take the opportunity to remain open until all hours, with free concerts both indoors and on their terraces. Exceptional free shows are performed by French and international stars, notably in the Place de la Bastille, the Champ de Mars and La Défense. And to help people get around, public transport services are provided all night long.

Few celebrations in India today : http://www.meraevents.com/blog/2012/06/18/world-music-day-2012/

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myBskool CEO Swaminathan.K - The Story of a Serial Entrepreneur

Recently, the Trinity College of London conferred the honorary doctorate title upon Swaminathan.K, CEO and founder of myBskool. The career path of Dr.Swaminathan is exciting, challenging, and it is no wonder he got the esteemed award. 

• Mr. Swami did his first business in 10th std. He sold firecrackers during Deepavali and made a profit of Rs.75,000.
• Started his career at Sterling Resorts, after completing B.Com at Pachaiyappas college.
• Took a break to pursue MBA from IIM Bangalore.
• Joined NIS as professor for marketing and worked at NIS for three years.
• Started EguruCool in 2000 with IIM Classmates. Egurucool was a novel education portal that NIIT bought later.
• Started Pookaikani - an online platform to sell vegetables. The orders were overflowing and Mr. Swami sometimes had to deliver the vegetables himself. Pookaikani was closed due to lack of staff for delivering vegetables.
• Started Aspire Learning Systems - to coach students for engineering and MBBS entrance exams. In seven years, Aspire became number one in South India. Continued coaching classes for IIT-JEE entrance once government stopped entrance exams.
• Started SmartLearnWebTV to give IIT-JEE coaching on Web TV. The slogan 'Just pay a rupee for a day' was a huge success. EdServ acquired SmartlearnWebTV.
• Started myBskool - a b-school offering distance learning management programs from recognized and top-notch management institutes.

Are You Aspiring for a Doctorate in Management?

Kavitha works for a foreign bank. She enjoys her hectic career which involves travel, events, and late hours. But five years from now, Kavitha did not see herself working for a bank. She wanted to start her own firm, be a consultant, and also teach. Yes, teaching was her passion. And she wanted to get a doctorate in management.

She was slightly overwhelmed by the path she has to take. First, a post-graduation in management, and then a doctorate. Where to study, how long will it take? Will the course be cost-effective and recognized?

myBskool has a solution for Kavitha's need. myBskool offers a two year PGDM from IMT Ghaziabad. Those who complete the two year PGDM, can enroll for the PhD program from IMT.  

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research materials in any medium that reside in the public domain and have been released under an open licence that permits access, use, repurposing, reuse and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions (Atkins, Brown & Hammond, 2007).

The use of open technical standards improves access and reuse potential.  OER can include full courses/programmes, course materials, modules, student guides, teaching notes, textbooks, research articles, videos, assessment tools and instruments, interactive materials such as simulations and role plays, databases, software, apps (including mobile apps) and any other educationally useful materials.

The term ‘OER’ is not synonymous with online learning, eLearning or mobile learning. Many OER — while shareable in a digital format — are also printable.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) is a type of OER.

Online Management Education - Panel Discussion

The interactive panel discussion about 'Online Management Education" went on well on 8th June, 2012. The expert panel had Prof. M.J. Xavier of IIM Ranchi, Prof. Sriram - executive Director of Great Lakes Institute of Management, Prof Ramanathan - Sr Director of ISB, and Mr.Swaminathan.K - CEO of myBskool. Mr.Chandu Nair was the moderator. 

The discussion started of with a reference to Online Management Education as an evolving animal that can take any shape in the future. There is a need for holistic managers and not managers who are specialists with a big head ( good analytic skills) but a lean torso ( poor soft skills). 

'Rethinking the MBA - Business Education at Crossroads' - a book by Harvard professor Dr.Srikant Datar was mentioned often as giving new insights about the subject. A popular saying goes like, "A fool with a tool is still a fool." But, technology will supplement and not substitute classrooms. And teachers will become tutors and facilitators.

Online Management Education is known as the Facebook of Education. But, people have doubts about the quality of relationships and networks in a social learning network. The panel felt that the intensity of any relationship is more important than the length. So, the learning design and student engagement process must be fun and really interactive. For example, the AIDS vaccine was found by a set of young gamers who never met face-to-face. Their interactions were purely online. They saw each other only at the awards ceremony.

To view all event pics, click here.

Business is an Art

'Click' has replaced 'Brick' - Peter Drucker was Right

As the internet burgeoned in the 1990s, management guru Peter Drucker said on-site universities would be dead in 50 years. "Click" would replace "Brick". Looks like Drucker's prophecy has come true.

The high speed of technology revolution acts as a catalyst for educational revolution. Recent research survey show that students prefer to learn using ipads and smartphone.

Now high-flying management institutes Harvard and MIT are taking their learning videos online through a project EdX. The number of universities offering online management programs is exploding.    

IMT Ghaziabad PGDM - Learn from the Leaders

It is surprising to know that thousands of students enroll for an executive MBA that is not recognized or accredited.What is the point of slogging for one or two years to get a management qualification that is not recognized anywhere?

How nice it would be if a top-ranked b-school can qualify you as a management professional? You are no more a Tom, Dick, or Harry. IMT Ghaziabad has won several awards for its excellent Distance Learning Program. And the online management programs it offers is recognized throughout the world. Don't you want to learn from the leader? Click here to download brochure.

Flash Mob or Smart Mob?

A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression. Flash mobs are organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails.

The term, coined in 2003, is generally not applied to events and performances organized for the purposes of politics (such as protests), commercial advertisement, publicity stunts that involve public relation firms, or paid professionals.In these cases of a planned purpose for the social activity in question, the term smart mobs is often applied instead.

Panel Discussion about Online Management Education - Emerging Trends

Why Working Professionals Prefer Online MBA?

All aspiring professionals will take up managerial and leadership roles as they climb their career ladder. If you are an aspiring professional, you will look for a chance to get a post graduation in management. You plan to equip yourself with theory before you manage people on a real-time basis.

If you start looking at a full-time MBA degree from a reputed management institute, you need to prepare for the admission process. You need to clear CAT, get very good scores. You need to get past a group discussion round. The process sounds challenging, but do you have the time to prepare for this rigorous admission process? Even if you get admission, you need to shell out around 10 lakhs to 11 lakhs as fees.

Do you have the time and money for such a full-time MBA? If not, are there any alternatives?  Yes. There are almost 480 universities offering distance learning MBA. The cost of an online management education is between Rs.50,000 to 1 lakh. Affordable, but is it from a reputed institute?

myBskool has a solution for all your needs. myBskool has a tie-up with IMT Ghaziabad that ranks amongst top 10 b-schools in India. To download the PGDM brochure and look at our sample videos, click here.

Bye Bye Brick and Mortar Schools

Huge costs to build schools and classrooms are driving people to find alternate solutions. With the growing population and industrialization, institutions have to compete for land in urban areas. It is no wonder that online education and work-from-home are the norms of the day!

But sometimes there are shortcuts to success. In Gautemala, a school has been built out of  5000 old plastic bottles and litter. A really creative and cost-effective classroom it is! To read the full story, click here.

No Ragging Online?

Colleges are all set to reopen and youngsters will enter the college premises with dreams and passion. However, the ragging menace always looms large. Is ragging always a threat? Not necessarily. Ragging is an ice-breaker and brings fun and creativity in the initial days of college. And helps to network with seniors who can guide you in studies and around the college campus. Due to ragging, many people fall in love and get married later.

But sometimes the decency limits are crossed during ragging. As students come from diverse backgrounds, what is good for someone may be bad for another. So, ragging is like gambling. The Tamilnadu government has given a mailid raggingcomplaints@gmail.com to which students affected by ragging can send a message.

Online education overcomes the ragging menace. Students meet in the online chat rooms and are focused on clearing subject queries. Higher education Online learners are working professionals and have the maturity to deal with their juniors and peers. So, ragging is not a big threat in Online Education. 

Alvin Toffler's School of Tomorrow

Alvin Toffler, the author of books about change like "Future Shock" and "Revolutionary Wealth", propounds a list of attributes for the School of Tomorrow. Alvin feels that current educational methods cater to the needs of the Industrial Revolution era. The industrial method of working needs all employees to walk into the factory at the same time, work in tandem in the factory line, and mass produce goods. The same model is employed at the schools too. All children walk into the class at the same time, simultaneously take the same set of lessons, and maintain military discipline.

Alvin Toffler envisions a new model of education that caters to the current Knowledge Era of workers. Children can start schools at the age they prefer - one child may start school at age four and another at age eight.

It's (the new school) open 24 hours a day. Different kids arrive at different times. They don't all come at the same time, like an army. They don't just ring the bells at the same time. They're different kids. They have different potentials. Now, in practice, we're not going to be able to get down to the micro level with all of this, I grant you, but in fact, I would be running a twenty-four-hour school, I would have non-teachers working with teachers in that school, I would have the kids coming and going at different times that make sense for them. 

The schools of today are essentially custodial: They're taking care of kids in work hours that are essentially nine to five -- when the whole society was assumed to work. Clearly, that's changing in our society. So should the timing. We're individualizing time; we're personalizing time. We're not having everyone arrive at the same time, leave at the same time. Why should kids arrive at the same time and leave at the same time? 

The textbooks are the same for every child; every child gets the same textbook. Why should that be? Why shouldn't some kids get a textbook -- and you can do this online a lot more easily than you can in print -- why shouldn't a kid who's interested in one particular thing, whether it's painting or drama, or this or that, get a different version of the textbook than the kid sitting in the next seat, who is interested in engineering?

I think that schools have to be completely integrated into the community, to take advantage of the skills in the community. So, there ought to be business offices in the school, from various kinds of business in the community.

Alvin Tofflers School of Tomorrow:

These are the fundamentals of the futurist's vision for education in the 21st century:

• Open 24 hours a day
• Customized educational experience
• Kids arrive at different times
• Students begin their formalized schooling at different ages
• Curriculum is integrated across disciplines
• Nonteachers work with teachers
• Teachers alternate working in schools and in business world
• Local businesses have offices in the schools
• Increased number of charter schools

The management programs at myBskool match all parameters put across by Alvin Toffler. Check out the PGDM that myBskool offers along with IMT Ghaziabad. Click here.

Great Leaders Inspire Action with the Golden Circle

The communication style of leaders in business and community follows a style - Why, How, and What. They first appeal to your soul with a 'Why' and then give your brain details of 'How' and 'What'.