COVID-19 appeared out of the blue and struck humanity without warning. It left all educational institutions, from the best school to the N.L. Dalmia Institute Mumbai struggling to respond to emergencies. It also led to a need for creativity in dealing with unforeseen situations like this catastrophic pandemic.

These things happen once in a century, and only a few of them manage to redefine the word “normal.” The entire education industry deserves more praise than they are getting for the swift responses they made to the pandemic amid lockdown restrictions. Their promptness resulted in the popularity of e-learning.

It’s Not So Easy

Indeed, it would be too simplistic to sit back and relax thinking that educational institutions are doing their best. Institutions are facing several challenges in terms of quality and effectiveness when it comes to online education. These challenges remain unaddressed due to self-congratulatory and feel-good sentiments. Will the heads of educational institutions choose to think out of the box and recognize, understand, and address these problems?

The Challenges

When you compare face-to-face learning with online learning, it highlights multiple issues in the latter that are quite significant. These setbacks are minor, but they do arise due to the lack of human connection, the absence of opportunities for collaborative learning, supervision of teachers, etc. After all, every subject is difficult in one way or another, and some are more challenging than others. Additionally, the rush in hosting online classes forced several vital teaching practices to take the backseat.

Bringing Back Quality

It does seem at times that “quality” is the only thing that doesn’t seem to be wholly present in online education. So, how can these institutions bring it back? What does the word “quality” mean in education anyway? The definition of “quality education” underwent a metamorphosis in the online mode. Currently, it includes ICT components that help overcome all challenges that resulted due to the physical distance between the teacher and the student. ICT is powerful and has the potential to help users overcome challenges and add value to online learning.

Planning Active Learning

The schools don’t just organize lectures in online classrooms. They lay the foundation for an active learning curriculum for MBA course in Mumbai. As they are physically absent from the classroom, faculties often go into long, winding explanations of a concept in a web-based class. The best way to avoid it is to create a well-planned sequence of activities for “active engagement” that will let learners interact with the teacher and fellow students in a hands-on, experiential learning environment.

Using IT Resources

According to renowned teachers and educators, four primary learning necessities form the base of all major educational theories spanning social cognition, constructivism, behaviorism, etc. These are arousal, self-determination, competence, and relatedness. Via gamification and technology, faculties can meet those necessities in an online class successfully. Technology is exceptionally powerful, and educators can use it to customize learning to a learner’s level, interest, academic, and social requirements.

Giving A Choice

Faculties control everything in a conventional class. They make the decisions regarding things to do, the right moment to do them, the best ways to do them, and everything else. On the other hand, faculties can enhance the motivation, interest, and involvement of a learner by allowing him/her to choose “how to learn.” They can pick from a massive range of activities, including audio/video podcasts, investigatory projects, presentations, surveys, gamification, quizzes, reports with illustrations and graphics, news-reporting, producing radio/TV shows, etc.

Collaborative learning

Irrespective of age, everyone learns through observing and imitating others. It’s entirely possible to create unique learning opportunities that can fulfill the four principles of social learning. Online peer-collaboration and peer-assessment could potentially fill the gap created by social distancing norms due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Final considerations

As you can see, many educational institutes are providing education during troubled times like these, but only a few are providing quality education. N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research is one of those establishments that are doing their best to integrate “quality” with e-learning.

If you’re a graduate in search of entry-level jobs, then you will notice that a minimum of one year of experience is mandatory in applying for a job. Employers want well-rounded candidates with relevant experience that they can mold further. They are   after those who have significant academic achievements to boast of. Of course, they also hope the applicants   have some skills in leadership, communication, customer service, and problem-solving. So, what can you do in such a situation? How will you gain experience if you’re studying at university?

1. Internships and projects: You won’t have to face rejections from employers if you choose to study at a reputable management institute in Mumbai, such as   N.L Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research. Such institutions design their management courses to meet the requirements of the corporate world. You will get to partake in internships and learn how to handle various projects and challenging situations. As an intern, you get a chance to work with real clients on real projects.
2. Student societies: If you want to make the best use of the courses offered by MBA institutions, then you have to join student societies. Involvement is the key to gaining practical experience required in securing a job. If you join a relevant or non-relevant student society, then you’ll learn new skills, including project management, event management, event marketing, customer service, and. Additionally, you’ll have fun while networking with your peers.
3. Volunteering: Volunteering while studying at the top Business school in Mumbai would pull you out of your comfort zone and help you develop new skills. You’ll get a chance to give back, hone your abilities, build a network, and deal with new situations that will aid you when you get a job. Volunteering will help reveal a unique side of as a professional.
4.   Seminars, workshop events, and networking: You’ll open the doors to new opportunities by attending events and improving your network. For that purpose, you must attend university events, seminars, webinars, and workshops. Or, you can simply walk up to the lecturers and speak with them. You might even meet your future employers at these events. Knowing the right person could be a great boon to you, especially in the corporate world.
5.    Further studies: If you did well in your bachelor’s degree, then you should aim higher. Pick up more courses and increase your knowledge. It normally involves another additional year of studying following the successful completion of the undergraduate degree. Of course, it means joining an MBA course. It will help you develop sound analytical skills and prepare you for leadership positions. In short, it would give you an edge over other job seekers and assist you in fast-tracking your career. The best business schools always prioritize practical experience through applied research projects where you have to come up with practical solutions for the problems that pester contemporary workplaces.
6.  Freelancing or side hustling: Are you thinking about pursuing a career in the creative  ? Then you could convert your passion into job experience by offering your services as a freelancer. Begin your side hustle as early as possible to gain real-life experience. Don’t worry about your studies because you would be able to prepare yourself for year-end examinations with relative ease. However, without real-world experience, your resume won’t attract potential recruiters.
7. Part-time jobs: Now, it’s true that one can’t dedicate his/her time to work as a freelancer consistently while pursuing business management courses. Then again, it doesn’t mean that you can’t gain real-life experience. Instead of wasting your time during the holidays, you could do a part-time job. Customer service is mandatory with any job that you pursue, and you’ll need skills to do it well. Earn some money on the side while practicing problem-solving and customer service skills.

Final words

It goes without saying that the right business school would be able to offer you courses that will teach you everything that you need to secure a job. These educational institutes design their courses in such a way that their students gain practical experience apart from bookish knowledge.