Laptops in B Schools- How Institutions can use

In the last post, we just had some stinker thoughts on how laptops are used by students. Without providing the necessary guidance and information, a laptop in a student’s hand is like a toy in a toddler’s hand. He uses it creatively, but not really in the intended way. When he does both, he gets maximum out of that toy.

Web 2.0 has given a real new meaning to collaboration and communication. How much of it is being capitalized by B Schools? I intend to use ‘Better B Schools blog’ as a place to share my thoughts on how Web 2.0 can create better Learning 2.0 experience to students and create better B Schools. The tool here is the power of one laptop per B school student. Following are pointers to what this blog will discuss in detail over a period of time.

1. Knowledge management system for B Schools.

2. Online Content management systems for the huge pile of reports and assignments created by students over years.

3. Enhancing the though process by reading and writing blogs

4. On demand, anytime learning to learn skills which cannot or need not be dealt in a classroom environment.

5. Effectively using teaching resources across the globe through virtual classrooms.

6. Incorporating Web 2.0 skills in students to equip them for the world which does business the unconventional way.

7. On field projects to be coupled with on line assignments. Remember, companies are no longer dependent on foot on streets. Presence on the web is vital and complements the physical presence.

8. Creating a live and interactive platform for the students, alumni and teaching resources.

9. Ensuring base line skills to all fresh students even before day one of assembling in a B School campus.

10. Extended learning to students beyond two years of education through the electronic mode.

The next 10 posts in BBSchoolls blog will discuss more about these.. one after the other....

Laptops in B Schools - How students use

Evert since the Internet started playing a major role in learning, B Schools adapted to the system of giving free laptops. Though, the legitimacy of the word “Free” is questioned, laptops have made a great change in the way students learn.

From one side laptops (Assume it is bundled with an internet connection) give a sense of sudden raise in status of an otherwise shabbily dressed arts or engineering college student. On the other side, very few make the maximum use of the laptop. A typical usage pattern of a laptop using B School student is something like this..

(Here we are discounting adult surfing)
What cannot be ignored is the impact of social networks on students. A combination of good and bad things happens over here. When the bad thing is the time spent, the good thing is the case where a surfer gets a chance to visit various profiles and understand what others are doing. Social networks are often blamed for false profiles and online assaults. The good thing that many will agree to is the usage of groups and communities that are relevant to the user's interest area. When students participate less in dedicated knowledge sharing forums, social networks which combines the idea of networking and knowledge sharing see good participation. Thanks to laptops, students are now learning differently in a different medium.

Often, Google becomes the measuring point to differentiate hard working student and smart working student. Academic projects and assignments are finished within no time due to the efficiency of Google results. The point of worry here is that student fails to get inspired by the articles found online. Instead they copy it directly from the net. However, students who are really dedicated to the cause of their B school days benefit by the power of Google. The learning gate that gets opened after every search result is abundant. A resource that is beyond what hundred professors could create by doing a marathon lecture. The guy who just copies the articles is the so called smart student and the one who really uses the published articles as a source of information is blamed as the hard worker. However, the end of the term makes the differentiation clear.

When we can discuss on the usage of laptops from the student’s point of view, the real question that bothers me is “How the institution is making use of the power of a laptop with every student?”

Honestly, the institution uses it as a feel good feature to sell their seats. My next blog will help us discuss how the institution can capitalize on this additional learning asset.

Criticism on MBA HR

MBA in HR is highly criticized and questioned among all specializations. Those who have done MBA in a B School which does not have HR as its predominant specialization would have felt the same. Few common questions that MBA HR students have to answer to its peers are;

1. How can you learn people management through text books?
2. Isn’t it only theories that you learn in HR?
3. Should you really learn HR when it is something which can be easily learnt on the job?
4. You will never become a person of high importance (leave side CEO) in the organization, then why HR?
5. Isn’t it administrative and support work that you will be doing after MBA?

Think about your answers before you go ahead. My standard answers to these questions were/are;

1. How can you learn people management through text books?
A text book helps in understanding the world of people management. It refines your thought process on people management and HR issues. Without textual knowledge you will be a soldier without two hands leave aside arms.

2. Isn’t it only theories that you learn in HR?
Theories help in understanding ideal cases. When we could understand that ideal is far from achievable, theories help in working close to the ideal situation.

3. Should you really learn HR when it is something which can be easily learnt on the job?
It depends on one’s passion. Some would prefer HR management to be 100% of their KRA and choose a career in HR. Learning HR on the job is applicable to those who would like to have not more than 20% of their KRA in HR management.

4. You will never become a person of high importance (leave side CEO) in the organization, then why HR?
I will become a person of high importance to the people to whom I work for which a CEO may not become. That is a different calling. Most HR professionals have developing people as their life’s KRA and hence CEO’s role may not suit them.

5. Isn’t it support work that you will be doing after MBA?
Support is the backbone whose importance is realized only if it fails. I would like to be the backbone.