In an attempt to find out the teaching methods currently in use in Indian B-schools and to assess the response to the concept of using literature as a Management teaching too, a survey was conducted among Indian B-school faculty. The aim of the survey was to find out the teaching methods used by B-school faculty members, the types of constructive, co-operative and Art & Literature methods used; the response to using literature as a Management teaching tool and the issues envisaged in using literature as a Management teaching tool. Based on the inputs from interactions with B-school faculty from Mumbai (India) and review of related literature such as research articles and case studies, a suitable research tool (questionnaire) was constructed in Google docs. Qualitative analysis was done on the data collected on the basis of teaching experience and subject taught. The chapter will demonstrate the analysis done and the findings thereof.
TopData Demographics
Personal Descriptors
The respondents were asked to mention their name (optional), the name and location of their institution, the number of years they had worked as b-school faculty and the subjects taught by them. 196 faculties from 64 reputed b-schools across India responded of which 15% were from the Eastern zone, 44% from the west, 19% from the north and 22% from the south. The respondents were from various IIM, University departments and reputed B-schools across India.
Teaching experience was classified into four categories on the basis of years taught. 0 to < 2 years, 2 to < 5 years, 5 to < 10 years, above 10 years. The breakup of the respondents was 11.46%, 22.92%, 27.08% and 38.54% respectively.
Subjects taught were classified into HR, finance, marketing, systems, operations, others. In terms of subjects taught 32.26% were marketing faculty, 29.03% were HR faculty, 24.73% were Finance faculty and 17.20% taught Systems and Operations.
Teaching Descriptors
Teaching methods were classified as lectures, case study, PowerPoint presentation, co-operative methods, constructive methods, art and literature, others. The respondent could choose more than one option (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Teaching methods used (%)
Lectures, PowerPoint presentations are used by more than 85% faculty while Case Study, Co-operative and Constructive methods are used by more than 90% of the respondents. Constructive methods are most extensively used by Management Faculty. Only 21.88% of the respondents claimed to use Art and Literature as a teaching tool.
Teaching Method Descriptors
To find out the type of Co-operative, Constructive and Art & Literature methods in use, the next part of the survey had respondents select the actual methods used by them. Co-operative methods was classified as Group learning, Workshops, Team events, Jigsaw technique, Group assignments, do not use co-operative teaching methods and other. Constructive methods were classified as Research Project, Field Trips, Case Study, Role Play, Simulation, Management Games, Do not use constructive teaching methods and Other. Art and Literature methods were identified as Novels, Drama, Films, Poetry, Book Critique, None and Other. The respondent could choose more than one option (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. Co-operative teaching methods (%)
Around 97% use co-operative teaching methods of which group assignments are widely used (88.54%) and more than 50% use team events. Workshops and Group learning are also used. Jigsaw technique is rarely used (see Figure 3).
Figure 3. Constructive teaching methods (%)
Constructive methods are widely used to the extent of around 98%. Case study is the most commonly used teaching method. More than 50% use research projects, role play and Management games. 30 to 40% use Simulation and field trips (see Figure 4).
Though art and literature are not commonly used teaching methods, amongst those who use this method, films are most popular (42.71%), 25% use book critique and only 10% use novels.