Experiential Learning Is The New Norm For The Future Generations

While technological evolutions continue to change business models and industry trends in India, Experiential Learning is said to play a crucial role in understanding the future of learning and the generations to come. The 2nd BW Businessworld Leadership Top Education Brands Awards started off with a panel discussion on 'Disrupting the norm: What Model of Learning Do We Need for Future Generations' moderated by Dr. Ranjan Banerjee, Dean, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research.

Dr. Monica Khanna, Director, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research while opening the discussion said, "The best teacher today is experiential learning. We need to give students the platform to learn in unique methods breaking the boundaries of classrooms."

A generation gap between the educators and students seldom come across challenges in providing new age learning methods. According to a panelist, experiential learning can bridge the generation gap and open new avenues in providing knowledge. 

"I've spent 3 decades in higher education and I've seen very few changes to evolve this sector. Today the faculties of the 19th century are teaching the millennials of the 21st century. In order to cope up to changing trends in the markets it is crucial for us to stress more upon the advantages of experiential learning which is more real time," said, Indu Sahani, Dean, Indian School of Management & Entrepreneurship.

Experiential learning needs to be backed by practical learning in order to boost new methods of the changing education system. 

Dr. S. Bhargava, HOD, Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (IIT Bombay) said, "Time has come to realize that the new generation is filled with talent. We have abundant opportunities in the market but the knowledge you get from business schools are more experiential-based. The pedagogy must be focused on inculcating practical learnings in every aspect. The future is bright and the new generation of teachers will make the journey far more comfortable in terms of preparing students for futuristic business models."

"We need to prepare students for the learnings of life rather than a particular job. This would avoid their limitations and further ignite their curiosity to learn more and shape their careers. The whole focus is lost out on social development today and the current generation is pressurized in studying based more on their parent's pride. Experiential learning helps in being multidisciplinary and multicultural," said, Prof Indira Parikh, Founder President, Flame University. 

The education institutions must primarily adapt and promote new trends of learnings. Experiential learning needs to be backed by the right kind of infrastructure. 

Dr. N. M. Kondap, Director General, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies said, "The market dynamics are changing faster but we need to understand how prepared are the educational institutions. Millennials have changing expectations and the time has come to go beyond learning. Educators need to be educated for the new millennials and the time has come to go from PPT and examinations to evaluations."

"The kind of schools we have today are filled with creativity and young minds. We work with teachers, students, and faculty members together to promote conceptual understandings. We teach skills of the 21st century as well where learner's can understand ways of being resilient," said, Ms. Mona Seervai, Head of school, Mount Litera School International.

Children today are easily adapting to new complex games but not the same way when it comes to traditional learning. Dr. Raman during the discussion gave importance to gamification as a futuristic tool for learning.

"Many students are hooked on to their mobile devices during traditional class room lecture session. In future education must be imparted through 'Gamification'. That way we can bring about effective changes and students will get involved in the learning process. 'Simulations' can help in effective learning of concepts." opined Dr. R. Raman, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management.

Mrs. Anju Sharma, IAS, Principal Secretary (Higher & Technical Education), Education Department, Government of Gujarat while commencing the discussion said, "By the time education geared up for evolution, the technology adaptation took place at a slow pace. Today the world is dynamic in terms of technology and content and hence we are trying our level best to provide resources in experiential learning to many rural areas in the Gujarat region. We also aim to develop creativity where it does not exist where disruptive learning can show a student different ways of understanding concepts." 

Bhaktvatsal Sharma

BW Reporters The author is a journalist with BW Businessworld