The
major objective concerning this EBI is to identify issues being faced by
students in online teaching and devise an alternative set of education system
that meets students’ expectations and fit in broad framework of providing
effective education to them at marginal cost.
Keeping
in view major challenges posed by online education system, a new system of
mixed or blended education system has been proposed to incorporate strengths of
online and class room teaching (Azizan, 2010) and make
learning more effective and fruitful for students.
As part of this, the EMA should include:
· A
critical appraisal of theoretical underpinning used for the EBI.
· An
account of the extent to which evidence you collected for the EBI was useful in
carrying out the change (what worked and what didn’t).
· Demonstration
of the impact of ethical considerations in carrying out the EBI.
· Reflections
on learning framed by cycles of inquiry.
Task 1 – 4000 words
Write a report of in which you:
· Outline
the background and objectives for the EBI that you undertook.
· State
why the EBI is necessary from an organisational, business and academic
perspective.
· Critically
evaluate the extent to which the actions or attitudes of key stakeholders
shaped the initiative.
· Critically
evaluate the extent to which the theory or theories you used were useful in
effecting your EBI.
· Critical
use of inquiry evidence with rationale for decisions and cycles of inquiry
- Give detail on two key
periods that were the most critical or most productive in your completion
of the EBI. Discuss the actions you took to manage these periods and the
effect they had on the EBI progress and outcomes, explaining how you drew
on evidence and theory in doing so, and assessing what you might have done
differently.
- Evaluate the progress
or outcome of the initiative four weeks prior to submission of this
report.
- Explain and justify
what actions will follow from the EBI and how they will impact on the
organisation.
Task 2– 2000 words
For this task you are asked to critically reflect
on your learning over the course of this module. This will include reflections
on the scouting, scoping and carrying out of your EBI.
· Describe
how theories and concepts about management and leadership encountered during
the EBI have shaped your practice.
· Critically
analyse how theories that you initially thought may be useful were rejected or
have proved less successful for carrying out the EBI.
· Show
how methods of inquiry learned within B839 have helped you develop a more
critical and evidence-based approach to management.
· Analyse
how your MBA study has challenged some of your assumptions about management and
describe how you feel it has enhanced or will enhance your future career.
Evidence-based Progress Report PART I
Feedback
of faculty enabled me to relook into the problem in depth and the issues I
found while reevaluating my EBI for this research work relates to problems
students face in online classes and reasons to oppose switching from classroom
teaching to online classes. Though the
situation is changing with more options and solutions available, however some students
find communication with teachers and interaction with fellow students
challenging in online classes (Vladimir
Abramenka, 2015). Communication and collaboration pose to be the major
challenge for people mainly in remote locations to opt for the new normal way of
study i.e., the online classes. As a solution, the proposed change offers
blended education to students which increases communication and collaboration
among students and teachers and enables interaction where students get the
window to interact with faculty as well as their fellow students (Alvarez,
2005).
Peer
Discussion enabled me to focus on core challenges I am currently facing as Marketing
Lead of the company and design my EBI in and around it so that proposed change
as envisaged can be accepted and implemented and the model becomes successful in terms of bringing
confidence and acceptance of students
and Management at the same time. Technological inefficiencies of teachers in
conducting online classes can be largely reduced through technical training and
periodic support from the organization to them. Non-Adequate training, fear of
failure and reluctance of students to use technology are major roadblocks,
which to an extent hinder the engagement of teachers to conduct online classes.
(Mansvelt, Suddaby, O’Hara, and Gilbert, 2009). Though
in Metros or Class A cities, it is getting accepted, but in remote areas the
concerns remain due to possibly lack of trainings or unavailability of required
resources
Feedback of tutor and peers helped me to move out from my stressed thinking on here and there problems associated to my job profile and critically focus on major problem and solution to the same .I was able to redesign my EBI and proposed changes to resolve issues related to this EBI. Blended mode of teaching eliminates time, place and situational barriers while fostering high quality interactions between teachers and students (Kanuka, Brooks, & Saranchuck, (2009). This system of offering education helps in achieving objectives of course, eliminates communication gap, fosters face to face communication, improves academic performance, encourages active participation of students and teachers as well, creates a sense of community, collaborate tasks and allows teachers to develop practical manner of teaching and learning to students (Bdawi, 2009)
I. primary sources of evidence
In
order to validate proposed change in my organisation, Focus group discussion
method has been used. Keeping in view the objectives of EBI and proposed
changes sought which will directly impact students’ learning methodology and bring
transformational change in my organisation; focus group consists of seven male
and female students preparing for various entrance and competitive exams, my
boss who is the owner of the company acting as an observer in the group and
myself as moderator who will facilitate discussion. Owner of the company took
his personal interest to participate in this focus group as observer of
discussion.
I
have been also in touch with three or four institutes’ marketing head and
expert professionals working in institutes rendering online classes and seeking
their opinion on blended learning system and problems surrounding online teaching
platform with the main motive to get deep insight into the situation and
develop better solution for my company.
II. Secondary sources of evidence
Since
my organisation is in urge to bring necessary changes to accommodate current
scenario in education industry, owner of the company has given me liberty to
use any kind of official data and documents to decide over implementation of
blended education system in the organisation. Data used for secondary source of
evidence consists of-
Percentage
of teachers and students who wished to join offline classes instead of online
classes out of total teachers and students called last year and vice a versa.
Percentage
of students out of total students who joined online classes but left due to
lack of communication with teachers and interaction with peers.
Percentage
of teachers out of total teachers applied who wanted to teach offline and those
who wanted to teach online.
Percentage
of teachers who willingly joined online classes but left due to technological
concerns.
Percentage
of teachers out of total teachers applied who preferred blend teaching
methodology.
Percentage
of students out of total students who called to our institute last year and
asked to join online classes and those who preferred offline classes.
III. Critical review of sources of evidence
Focus
group has been formed with the objective to understand, observe and analyse
opinions, thought process and reactions of students towards proposed change and
their readiness in adopting this change. Owner of my company is keen to know responses
of students towards this system of education. This is why seven focus groups
consisting of seven students have been formed to get in depth insights into
perception and outlook of students towards it. Secondary data will suffice results from
primary source and provide a deep insight in understanding and analyzing
behaviour of students and teachers, thus assisting me in reaching to a sound
conclusion in necessitating proposed change.
Male
and female students have been included in focus group discussion to avoid
gender biasness.
Plausible
alternative explanations for differences observed between groups have been
avoided to maximize internal validity of information collected.
Data
collected from discussion have not been generalized to apply it universally to
maximize external validity of results obtained.
Participants
for focus group discussion are selected on random basis from database of
students preparing for entrance and competitive exams retrieved from authentic
sources to avoid sample biasness.
Ideas
and suggestions to think about on topics discussed, mirroring, technique of
drawing out and explanatory probes have been used by me as a moderator to
improvise and sharpen responses of participants to draw out more consistent and
reliable information.
B. Stakeholders’ influence on EBI proposal
Major
stakeholders’ of this EBI proposal consist of students’ preparing for entrance
and competitive exams, teachers and owner of the company who is my immediate
boss in the organisation and also sponsor to this project work.. Other
stakeholders include employees of the organisation and competitors who have
little or no influence on my EBI proposal and proposed change since owner of
the company has authorised me to use resources of the organisation in getting
responses of students’ and implementing proposed change if results of this
project work promotes feasibility and viability of this proposed change. There
is no political pressure while conducting this research from management of
company and I am getting support of all departments of my company in extracting
best possible results to implement proposed change. The only impediment in
implementation of proposed change is its success in market. Students’ have direct
influence on EBI proposal in case they out rightly reject blended education
system. In such scenario, our focus will be on rendering online classes to
students who want to join online classes and offline classes to students who
opt out online classes.
C. Issues related to access to data/ evidence for EBI
Due
to sincere support of my boss and her interest in this project work helped me
to get access of all kind of company’s data required to perform this research
work. All my colleagues in the company supported and collaborated with me to
conduct focus group discussion, record discussion sessions and give their
valuable feedback as and when required. Major issues I faced in selection of
students for Focus group discussion. Initially it was decided to take students
from Delhi NCR. Later on, idea changed and we involved students from different
parts of the country in this discussion.
D. Use of EBI by my organisation
Since
this EBI is related to current problems being faced by my organisation in terms
of getting students enrolled for our online classes which are not happening as
per our plan. So it was decided to work upon practical challenges faced by
students while attaining online classes. Improper Communication, peer
interaction and collaboration came as the major impediments restricting them to
opt for online teaching. In order to remove these obstacles blended education
system has been proposed to be implemented to meet requirements of students. If
everything goes right and result of this EBI supports Blended education system,
our company will implement this system of education for our students. It will
help to carve out issues and challenges faced by students and foster efficient
learning and thus increasing revenue of the company.
3. Ethical issues concerning EBI
As per the understanding and clarification perceived
from the referred content from the adaption called out above, the effort has
been made to work as per the guidelines of avoiding the ethical issues in all
phases of the study which includes
before the study gets conducted; At the inception; While the Data gets collected and ; and finally during
reporting and storing of the data
In
the beginning of the study-
The
Objective and intent behind conducting Focus group discussion and EBI work is
well informed to the participants.
No
consent form to participate in research work has been requested. No Prejudice while
interaction with any stakeholders of this research work has been done and have
ensured to have no influences (LaFrance & Crazy Bull, 2009).
At the time of collection of data-
Participants
have been provided inputs and possible direction wherever required and kept the
discussion interactive for their active participation in the study and at the
same time ensuring them objective of research work.
Checks
to ensure that the group of participants are not exploited, abused or coerced to
participate in research work. They have been given incentives in terms of
freebies such as free subscription to online classes and study materials for
one year.
Precautions
and checks in place to ensure not enter unnecessary discussions and avoid
collection of harmful information (Patton,2002).
Maintaining
confidentiality of the Data collected for the research work
Identities of participants have been kept
confidential and not disclosed on any public platform. Participants have been
given nick names at the time of focus group discussion to keep their identity
hidden. Anonymity of participants and organisation have been protected.
Data
has been analyzed avoiding taking sides of participants and highlighting
discussions which put participants in favorable position
All
findings of study have been analyzed and positive as well negative aspects
related to objective of research work has been included.
Results
of this study will be shared among participants and other stakeholders of this
research work and on public platform for readers to get benefitted from it.
Results of this research work will neither be suppressed
nor falsified to meet the objectives of proposed change considered in this EBI.
Results of this research work will be shared among
participants and management of my company.
APA guidelines with respect to use of unbiased language with appropriate level of specificity, language that is sensitive to labels and acknowledgement of participants have been followed (APA, 2010)
4. Reflections: Influence of my position in organisation on EBI
Affect of my job position in evidence gathering
As marketing head of my company, I am able to access all secondary source of information required to move on into this research work. Along with that my boss has given me full flexibility in accessing any information pertaining to gathering evidence related to this EBI and proposed changes considered in it. My Colleagues and other staffs of my company are supporting initiative of collecting evidence through organisation of Focus group discussion with students who are major stakeholders for which this change has been proposed in my EBI and also in my organisation. My job position as marketing head of company helped me in convincing students to participate in the discussion and keep on interacting with these students on positive node when they join discussion virtually through internet.
Constraints over the use of data gathered as evidence within proposal
Only 50 students from different parts of this country has been considered for conducting Focus group discussion to take a transformational change in my organisation to shift from online teaching to Blended teaching system. Sample size considered to propose such a big change is major constraint I am facing in suggesting this proposed change to my organisation. I am skeptical with regard to results that will pop out of this qualitative research work. So whether to increase sample size or not is a major constraint for me as of now in using data to be gathered as evidence within this proposal. I have shared this with my boss and he is ready to accept my decision of increasing sample size to 150 to 200 students from all around the country.
As such there is little or no chance of occurrence of such events as I am convinced to not to divert discussion away from the objective of this proposal. This is why I am in personal touch with these students for so long and reminding them objectives of this research work and its importance for my research work. Participants will be well informed in advance not to share any confidential information that may harm them and also to protect privacy of other participants and not to disclose any confidential information discussed in Focus group discussion. Participants will be conveyed in advance to not to disclose in public domain any confidential information that has been shared while focus group discussion either related to participants or company (which will however not be shared among participants but in case it happens). There is an alternative solution to it in my mind too. Since discussion will take place through virtual meeting apps. I will put everyone on mute in case someone starts sharing his/her confidential information related to them and later on edit that part from recorded video.
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References
·
Alvarez, S, 2005, “Blended learning
solutions”, In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology.
Retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/ blended
learning /start.htm
·
Badawi, MF, 2009, “Using Blended
Learning for Enhancing EFL Prospective Teachers Pedagogical Knowledge and
Performance”, Conference paper: Learning & Language .
·
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative
inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
·
Kanuka, H., Brooks, C., &
Saranchuck, N. (2009). Flexible learning and cost effective mass offerings.
Paper presented at the Improving University Teaching (IUT), Vancouver, CA.
·
LaFrance, J., & Crazy Bull, C.
(2009). Researching ourselves back to life: Taking control of the research
agenda in Indian Country. In D. M. Mertens & P. E. Ginsburg (Eds.), The
handbook of social research ethics (pp. 135–149). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
·
Lincoln, Y. S. (2009). Ethical practices
in qualitative research. In D. M. Mertens & P. E. Ginsberg (Ed.), The
handbook of social research ethics (pp. 150–169). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
·
Mansvelt, J., Suddaby, G., O'Hara, D.,
& Gilbert, A. (2009). Professional development: Assuring quality in
e-learning policy and practice. Quality Assurance in Education, 17(3),
233-249. doi: 10.1108/096848809 10970641.
·
Mertens, D. M., & Ginsberg, P. E.
(2009). The handbook of social research ethics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
·
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative
research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
·
Salmons, J. (2010). Online interviews in
real time. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
·
The American Psychological Association
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Including 2010
Amendments (www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx)
·
Vladimir Abramenka (2015). Students’
Motivations and Barriers to Online Education submitted to Grand Valley State
University.
Evidence-based Progress Report PART II
It
is of immense importance to bring necessary changes in education system to cope
up with challenges experienced by society and make this system more versatile
and adoptable for all stakeholders linked to it (Kelly, 2009). Stakeholders must continuously evaluate and validate
such changes to make learning and teaching more effective and bring necessary
reform to education system in response to economical, social and political
instances forcing traditional system to shift to new mode of education system.
With
rapid technological advancement and revolution in computer and internet world,
traditional education system has been moved to online system of education with
a catalytic speed (Sethy, 2008).
Increased use of internet and World Wide Web has paved the way of concept of
online education an alternative to class room teaching. The number of students taking online classes
has been increased significantly with an average growth rate of 9.3 % (Allen 2013). However, there is very
low retention rate of students in all types of educational institutions. With
getting familiarity and comfortability with internet, it was thought this issue
will get resolved but still students oppose to this system (Allen & Seaman, 2013).
Changing scenario in education sector where classroom
teaching is now becoming an old days phenomenon and rapid inclusion of online
medium for learning is seen as future in education sector is posing critical
issues to companies engaged in offering online classes to students. The company
in which I work is an online education provider for entrance and competitive
exams and the major problem company is facing relates to convincing students to
join online classes for preparation of their entrance and competitive exams and
retaining them till course session ends. Management of company is struggling
with it and seeking for a change to overcome this problem and give a fresh
start towards success of the company.
A
lot of research has been done to envisage advantages and disadvantages of
online education system (Wang, 2010). Lack
of knowledge and awareness, very low rate of adoption of online classes, lag in
use of technologies in accessing online learning resources and illiteracy of
computer knowledge, poor quality of online study materials, issues in engaging
students during online classes, diversion of concentration of students while
attaining online classes, poor accessibility and internet connectivity in rural
areas are major issues embarking failure of online teaching system (Aidrina binti, 2018). There is a
lag of socialization process in online system of education (Vladimir Abramenka, 2015).
Communication and collaboration among teachers and students become challenging
in online teaching which demotivate students to attain online classes (Vladimir Abramenka, 2015).
1.
What are the problems students faces while taking online classes?
2.
What changes should be made to enhance students’ learning experience and
satisfaction in online teaching system?
The
major objective concerning this EBI is to identify issues being faced by
students in online teaching and devise an alternative set of education system
that meets students’ expectations and fit in broad framework of providing
effective education to them at marginal cost.
Keeping
in view major challenges posed by online education system, a new system of
mixed or blended education system has been proposed to incorporate strengths of
online and class room teaching (Azizan,
2010) and make learning more effective and fruitful for students.
Blended
learning enhances learning experiences and satisfaction of students as well as
improves outcomes of learning (Lim,
& Morris, 2009). Blended learning contributes to face to face
communication (Ginns & Ellis, 2009)
and facilitates a prominent environment where teachers can spend more time with
students either individually or in small group and renders flexibility in using
online and offline learning materials and resources (Oh & Park, 2009) thus promoting an interactive and
collaborative environment for communication and social interaction among
students and teachers (Yuen, 2010) much
needed to increase retention of students associated with institutions.
This
system of education that embraces mix of class room teaching and online
teaching offers better learning through online resources and active
participation of students in classroom (Chen
and Jones (2007) and thus changes learning experience and satisfaction
level of students positively (Davis
& Fill, 2007). In a Research study on Blended learning 70 %
of participants gave their strong agreement for blended learning and finds it
better learning platform than face to face setting or E –learning alone and 90
% respondents prefer blended learning than class room setting or E-learning
setting (Teng et al. 2007). It removes time, spatial and situational
barriers and enable top quality communication and collaboration among teachers
and students (Kanuka, Brooks, & Saranchuck, 2009).
In order to tackle this situation, after going through number of journals
on online education system and Focus group discussion with students, I arrive
at a conclusion to propose and implement Blend system of education (Mix of
Online and Classroom teaching) to be offered to students in order to keep
intact benefits of class room teaching and E-learning together to double
students’ experience and improve quality of learning for students.
The three critical success factors (Stacey, 2008) in adopting blended
learning education system by an educational institution includes-
It is very necessary to inculcate proposed change in the strategy of the
organisation so that company with all its resources can best utilize benefits
of proposed change in achievement of organisational goals of increasing revenue
and long term growth in fine tune with its vision, mission and objectives
(Graham, 2013).
Support from management in implementation of blended education system
requires facilitating conditions such as training of employees to combat
necessary changes, and visualizing the belief that social resources exist in
work place setting to move positively towards proposed change (Gallivan, 2005)
It refers to ability of company to successfully execute the proposed
change not in terms of building internal efficiencies but also transforming
such efficiencies for maximum benefit of students’ learning process (Ulrich, 1991).
An
instructional designer (Project leader) who is competent in blended education model
with an adequate action plan had been assigned responsibility to inculcate
necessary changes. Teachers have been asked to prepare themselves to structure
and develop learning tools and mechanisms to exploit potential benefits of the
model. A close interaction among
instructional designer, various departments of organisation (HR, IT, Finance
& Operation) and teachers are must to appropriately develop sound
technological and physical infrastructure and communication process to
effectively manage entire change in the system and thus leads to successful
implementation of this model.
This proposed change
will enable company to gain a competitive advantage over rivals as no other
institutes engaged in rendering coaching for entrance and competitive exams
have currently adopted this system of education, thus enabling increase in
admissions to the institute and profitability.
Easy tapping of students from rural areas
Due to technological
interventions in terms of slow internet connection or absence of computer/laptops/smart
phones among students, my company was unable to target students residing in
rural areas, which can now become easier as setting up of physical centers in
rural areas will help us to facilitate technological infrastructure to rural students
thus encouraging them to join our institute
This change will help
to increase number of students’ enrollments for different programs conducted by
my institute thus enabling company to generate more revenue and thus profitability.
Change in cost and profit structure
In initial stage,
opening physical center will increase cost of the company by 30 % but financial
estimation as calculated by finance head of the company assures doubling of revenue
in first phase of set up of physical centers at two locations from where we get
maximum leads of students.
Increase in productive efficiency
Productive efficiency
in terms of resolving queries of students, enhanced learning experience,
facilitation of medium of interaction among students and teachers physically
and improvement in learning outcomes will tend to grow tremendously, thus
assuring success of this initiative in short and long term as well.
Bringing change in the
organisation needs immense support from management, team members and
stakeholders who have been part of such change. Process of change management in
case of implementation of blended education system for an institute currently
offering online classes require complete transformation in its strategy, mission,
objectives and vision. It is like setting up a new organisation and moving away
from former set up completely. People from other department opposes such change
but when bigger picture of this change has been elucidated and aligned with
vision of the organisation, it has encouraged members of the organisation to
favour such changes. Blended education system is need of the day for all
institutions engaged in rendering online education services to fit with the expectation
of students and meet their learning requirements. Process of this change for
such institutions before acting upon it will appear near to impossible in terms
of bring necessary structural and infrastructural change in the organisational
set up but its benefits in terms of revenue generation and increase in profit
potentiality is much higher than our estimated expectations.
Our team decided to
work on a pilot project before implementing proposed change completely to the
organisation. For this purpose, we selected opening up of two physical centers
at places from where we used to get maximum queries for admission. We found
sudden surge in queries as well as in admissions from such locations demanding
mix of online and offline classes. Ratio of online and offline classes have
been currently kept 2.5:1 on random basis and we found increased interest of
students in attaining online classes. Offline classes have been mainly kept for
doubt sessions and increasing interaction of students with teachers and peers.
Current results are quite astonishing and I recommend institutes to adopt same
methodology while initiating such changes.
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Process of change followed a series of steps in my organisation-
1.
Aligning objectives of change with
business strategy, objectives, mission and vision of organisation.
2.
Evaluating positive and negative
expectations and influence of stakeholders mainly students /customers.
3.
Conducting a feasibility and viability
study of proposed change in economical terms
4.
Initiating and implementing change as a
Pilot Project in some areas instead of whole organisation
5.
Monitoring performance and results of
proposed change
6.
Implementation of proposed change at
organisation level if results are as per expectation and objectives set before
initiating change.
Impact of key Stakeholders’ attitude on EBI
Key stakeholders’ Attitude
towards EBI has been analysed using Stakeholder engagement matrix (PMBOK, 6th
ed., ch.13.2.2.5) (Ackemen & Eden, 2004)
|
Stakeholders |
Power/Interest |
Unaware |
Resistant |
Neutral |
Supportive |
Leading |
|
Owner
/Sponsor |
High/High |
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
Study material preparing team |
Low/High |
|
|
|
D |
C |
|
Users/
Students |
Low/high |
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
Teachers |
Low/High |
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
Finance
Head |
Low/Low |
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
HR
Head |
Low/Low |
|
|
C |
D |
|
|
Marketing/Sales
team |
Low/Low |
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
IT
team |
|
|
|
|
C,
D |
|
|
Operation
Head |
High/High |
|
|
|
D |
C |
C-Current Level of
engagement
D-Desired level of
engagement
While initiating and
conducting my EBI, I get immense and extended support and advice from the owner
of the company more than what has been expected. In an Endeavour to get best
results out of this proposed change, study material preparation team and operation
head of company have remained in continuous teach with me and stepping one step
ahead they helped me some critical insights and valuable information to work on
this EBI and proposed change more relentlessly and with great ease in terms of
tackling learning resources issues and operational complexities of embedding
this change in organisation. HR head remained neutral and were little nervous
with regard to proposed change with a sense of increase in work load on their
part which has been later resolved after assurance of owner of the company that
more employees will be added in HR department after desired success of pilot
project and implementation of proposed change throughout the organisation.
Critical impact of theories on EBI
Theories
taken into consideration for this EBI was Kurt Lewin’s change management model (Lewin, 1947) and Nudge theory of
change in behaviour (Richard, 2008).
While going through issues company was facing few months back, I decided to
frame my EBI keeping those issues and perceived complexities of those issues
and devise a sound resolution to eliminate such issues my company was facing
came in the form of bringing a change into our course structure and shifting
our online mode of rendering coaching service to blended platform. The EBI
itself demanded for a broad and comprehensive restructuring of organisational
services rendered to students while meeting expectations of students of
students. It also demanded to bring change in perception and behaviour of
employees to welcome the move of proposed change and cater to the needs of
planned change to be executed at organisation level. After going through
various theories and practices available to incorporate such a structural change
in organisation at new product development level, I found these theories more
promising and offering desirable results of successful implementation of change
in my company with support of all stakeholders linked to it.
Lewin’s
theory is a three step model of facilitating change from Unfreeze to change to
refreeze conditions. This theory helped me in attaining what I and owner of
company wanted to exhibit to stakeholders to the change. Challenges of applying
this theory occurred at first and second stage of unfreezing and bringing
change where it was difficult to completely move away from current working
condition to a different set of working condition within a very small time
period. Thus, instead of applying changes in whole organisation set up, we have
adopted a complete different approach in initiating proposed change in
organisation by undertaking a pilot project on blended education system in
which we opened two physical centers to check feasibility and viability of this
system of education in our courseware and its adoptability among our employees
and users of this system. Results of pilot project was quite astonishing and
brought smile in face of owner and internal stakeholders of organisation in
terms of surge in admissions at those locations more than expectation and thus
giving a positive sign of applying such change in whole organisation and
setting up of more physical centers at different cities in the country with
support of all.
Nudge theory was thought important in the beginning of this EBI to understand perception and decision making process of all stakeholders towards the change and bringing necessary modification in their decision behaviour by eliminating negative influence of such change. Initially, it appeared very difficult before interacting with students and I felt students will not like this idea and I have to work on getting some other alternatives to minimize negative influence of online teaching and convince them to adopt online teaching. But discussion itself moved towards adoption of blended education from participants of Focused Group Discussion. And this theory got a little application in this EBI with an exception to convince HR head to look towards this change positively.
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Critical use of Inquiry Evidence
The
major source of evidence for this EBI and proposed change derives its roots
from
·
Information
derived from Focus Group Discussion
·
Journals and
articles on different modes of education system and efficacy of blended
learning
·
Responses of
Friends on issues and problem related to my company and this EBI working in
similar type of organisations
·
Company’s data
related to total number of students’ inquiry and their conversion into
admission for different periods, sales team report on feedback of students
seeking reasons for denying to join online classes, feedback report on students
who joined online classes but left in middle of the session.
·
Cost sheet and
Profitability estimation report prepared by Finance team to check feasibility
and viability of report.
·
Feedback of teachers
towards resolution of problem and adoption of proposed change.
In
order to conduct and make efficient use of evidences being collected and
sourced for successful implementation of proposed change, four step learning
cycle have been followed in contrast to Kolb’s learning cycle (Kolb’s, 1984) –
Encountering
problem that relates to denial of students to join online coaching and increase
in number of students dropping online classes without completing whole course
are the major concerns over which this EBI is built upon. Initially, I felt
technological intervention and conservative thought of parents favoring class
room teaching the major reasons diverting students away from online coaching.
In order to get more concrete ideas to get an in depth knowledge of the
problem, I spoke to some of my friends engaged in similar type of
organisations, who were also facing same problems in their organisation. On
reasons for the same, they have different perspectives. They found failure to
concentrate in online classes, poor retention, two way effective communication
between teachers and students and problems in access of sports material as
major source of this problem.
After
going through various journals and articles on failure of online teaching and
alternative education system, communication and collaboration among students
and peers (Vladimir
Abramenka, 2015), lack of
socialization, Lack of knowledge and awareness, very
low rate of adoption of online classes, lag in use of technologies in accessing
online learning resources and illiteracy of computer knowledge, poor quality of
online study materials, issues in engaging students during online classes,
diversion of concentration of students while attaining online classes, poor
accessibility and internet connectivity in rural areas are major issues
embarking failure of online teaching system (Aidrina binti, 2018).
On analysis of results
of Focus group Discussion; poor connectivity, discomfort of sitting long in
front of screen, interaction and socialization with friends and personal
connection and communication with teacher in terms of solving doubts and
getting a personal guiding hand came to be major source of issues in non
adoption or quitting of online coaching in middle of session. Feedback report
of students denying online coaching also gave similar reasons with priority of
having physical face to face interaction with friends and teachers are lagging
in online coaching. Students attending Focus group Discussion and Feedback
report of students denying online coaching sought blended education system a
better alternative to online coaching which has capability to eliminate
barriers of online coaching and incorporate benefits of class room teaching.
After
gaining insights on core issues of problem and solution sought, the entire
information has been shared with key internal stakeholders of the company to
get their feedback. Owner of the company, who is my immediate boss, supports
the similar solution and decided to initiate this proposed change as a pilot
project in areas from where we were getting demand of mix of offline and online
coaching and other stakeholders gave their consent towards this move. A Feasibility
report on proposed change has been decided to be prepared.
Number of enrollments
in those physical centers increased in a much faster way than expected with
very less effort to convince students for Blended coaching. Profit ratio as
compared to extra cost incurred to organisation due to set up of physicals
centers and increase in employees was much higher than estimated cost and
profit budget prepared by finance team.
Looking
into immense success of these two centers started as pilot project, company has
now planned to move away from online coaching to completely blended coaching
provider for entrance and competitive exams and pipelining resources towards
adoption of this proposed change at organisational level.
Impact of ethical consideration on EBI
Ethical considerations
helped me to conduct my research work more diligently and with discipline and
without diverting focus away from major problem and getting best solution to
it. Biasness in collection and analysis of data has been avoided and all
guiding principle of research ethics been followed (Mertens, 2009), (APA
2010).
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Critical/Productive Time Period in EBI
Time Period 1 (August15 to September 15, 20....)
This period has been
used to access multiple theories, journals, articles, interaction with my
friends, department heads, my boss and teachers, preparing feedback report on
reasons of students denying online coaching and who left in between selecting
students for Focus Group discussion, scheduling Group Discussion meeting and
offering freebies to them thus getting exact information on source of problem
and critical assessment of change as proposed for the problem sought.
Time Period 2(September 16 to October 15)
This period is marked
by organizing Focus Group discussion with selected students in Covid protected
environment, compiling information of discussion, analyzing and preparing
summary of major problem areas sought by students in attaining online classes
and solutions provided by them to eliminate those problems. Information
collected and analysed has been shared with owner of the company and
departmental heads to get their perspective on proposed change and working on
necessary infrastructural changes required to implement such change.
A meeting has been
called upon by my boss consisting of all department head including me and a
decision has been made to initiate this change with opening up of two physical
centers by October 10, 2020 and measuring its impact on admission enrollments.
Two centers have been opened within prescribed time frame and students residing
nearby those physical centers (database of students’ inquiry and students who
left in between) have been informed about the same. We got an overwhelming
response from students’ side to join our course, the new batch for which was started
from October 25 and experienced a tremendous increase in enrollments much
higher than pre covid period admissions for a particular batch.
With effective
management of time and support from my boss and department heads, it has become
very easy for me to collate theoretical knowledge, results of focus group
discussion and feedback report prepared thus enabling me to draw on a
conclusion for this EBI that Blended education system is the best alternative
to overcome the issues being faced by company. Since everything goes in a
planned manner and government has permitted to run physical classes taking
covid precautions which was icing on the cake for evaluation of success or
failure of our pilot project, nothing extra needs to be done differently to
conduct this EBI and its progress.
EBI Progress/ Outcome four weeks prior to submission
All that needs to be
done for compilation of this EBI has been completed by October 15, 2020.
Results of initiated change of opening physical centers started giving fruitful
results. New batch of blended coaching has been started from October, 2025 and
feedback from students of this education system is fascinating and they are
liking this combo of online and offline classes offering them flexibility to
watch recorded classes, attain classes sitting at comfort of home, access to
huge online learning resources and doubt resolution face to face physically in
classroom and interact with other students and teachers physically.
Actions and their impact on the organisation post EBI
Post
EBI, impact of this change will initiate redesign of strategy, mission, vision
and goals of the organisation. Instead of targeting on students seeking online
classes, focus will shift towards new customer segment seeking blended coaching
for our courses. A new market segment of rural area students will grab focus of
the company which will help to increase number of enrollments as well as increase
in profitability of the company. Structural change requires setting up a new administrative
department to look after operations and activities of physical centers and
avail necessary resources to facilitate successful implementation of change. All
department heads are happy with results coming from physical centers remove
obstacles of facing issues in implementing this change in whole organisation. Owner
of the organisation is himself taking keen interest and supporting this change
environment, hence restrictions and politics will play no role at any levels of
the organisation.
Decision
of opening two physical centers are ripping benefits to company, most probably
by end of this year, the company will make a paradigm shift from its online
coaching services to blended education system and start offering mix of offline
and online coaching for entrance and competitive exams in different parts of
the country while gaining a competitive advantage over its competitors. Company
has planned to open more number of physical centers in rural areas to tap a new
customer segment which is untouched by rivals and dominated by local coaching
centers. Adoption of Blended education system will help company to overcome
problems being faced by it few months back and move in positive direction of
success and huge growth potential in short as well as in long run.
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Influence
of Theories and Concepts of Management & Leadership on EBI
While working on this
EBI and problems surrounding it, I had a gut feeling that my company needs to
come out of obsession of online coaching as best practice for students
preparing for various competitive and entrance exams. With new advancement in
technology and mission to match global standards of education, my company was
in a continuous endeavor to adopt best practices and deliver top quality
learning resources to students with an objective to get maximum number of
success in cracking various entrance and competitive exams. Initially, I
perceived restrictions of teachers and students to not to adopt technological
requirements of conducting and attaining online classes a major drawback for success of online coaching, non
convertibility of inquiries into admissions and students leaving online classes
in between. But instead of prioritizing my perceptions and gut feeling, I
decided to work on principle of 5 W 1 H (David, 2019), a questioning technique
in which 5 W depicts five different question of what, why, when, where, whom
and 1 H depicts how; and that helps to understand a problem systematically and
scientifically by getting detailed picture of situation, gathering adequate and
relevant information, looking into problems from different perspectives,
leading it more effectively and thus
framing best possible solution to it. This method helped me at all stages of
this EBI ranging from exploring and defining problem, searching and evaluating
alternatives, reaching to a decision in the form of best alternative solution,
communicating to major stakeholders and implementation and review of change
that took place at pilot level in my organisation. Wherever and whenever I got
stuck, it helped me to structure my thought process by getting answers on these
six questions and improving my EBI at each level of its preparation.
This method helped me
to move away from complexities of Focus Group Discussion by asking two
questions instead of multiple here and there question which I framed earlier to
do so. On gathering information, instead of focusing on irrelevant data and
using bunch of official records, it helped me to getting a sense of using that
parts of student database and get feedback from those students out of thousands
of queries who left classes and those who raised issues concerning online
coaching in their queries recently. It allowed me to remained focus and devise
a concrete solution to the problem which can be well integrated with
organisational structure and objectives with minimum possible cost and maximum
gain to the organisation not only in short term but also in long run.
While coming across in dealing
and communication with heads of different departments and teachers, I adopted
to act as participative leadership (Lewin, 1930-40) rather than autocratic
(owner of company has delegated special power concerning solution to the
problem), in which I sought active participation of all members from problem
definition phase to conduct of focus group discussion, formulation and
implementation of proposed change at pilot level. All members took active
participation at all stages of discussion, contributed their valuable time out
of their busy schedules, shared their opinions, thoughts and recommendation
with regard to the problem and solution sought and its implementation.
I experienced that if I
have not engaged them, worked alone and used my discretionary power of
reporting to owner of company and not sharing with others or seeking their
approvals and opinions, this proposed change could not be implemented either at
pilot level or in whole organisation and it could have been thrown in dustbin
considering it a waste paper. It has taught me a lesson that if you want to get
rid out of a problem prevailing in the organisation and damaging sustainability
and growth of company, one should go into depth root cause of the problem
seeking opinions of major internal stakeholders, persuading them to search for
alternatives, taking initiatives to come out with best alternative solution and
then using that solution in welfare of organisation. It will eliminate
resistance of employees in bringing changes and accepting it positively with
boost in their morale and motivation level.
Theories Rejected/Less successful for EBI
Kurt Lewin’s Change
management model (Lewin, 1947) and Nudge theory of behavioural change (Richard, 2008)
has been considered at the beginning phase of this EBI work to be used to
implement, monitor and review proposed change that will take place in the
organisation. While working on this EBI and collecting, analyzing and
communicating information to owner of company, I thought I will be using Nudge
to influence perception of my boss and persuade him and his behaviour to
consider blended education system as a better alternative to online medium of
coaching. But I felt that there was very less required to bring change in
behaviour of my boss as he himself was convinced to it that blended system is
better option looking into current scenario of performance of company. Since,
he participated in Focus Group Discussion voluntarily, contributed his time and
effort and went through details of feedback report of students collected to strengthen the proposal of
change, there was very less left to modify his behaviour putting positive
aspects of this change and eliminating negative thoughts for it.
This theory got its
application while changing perception and attitude of HR head that was
initially not in favour of blended education considering this experimental
change a risk for the company and detrimental change in organisational
strategy, structure and mission of the organisation. But later on, seeing
positive response from two physical centers opened, he finally agreed and
accepted this proposed change a detrimental factor for success of the
organisation.
It was perceived that
this theory will be useful while influencing behaviour of students and consider
blended education a medium which incorporates advantages of classroom coaching
and online coaching together but students themselves favored this system
instead of online coaching in discussion process in focus group discussion and
data collected through feedback of students who denied online coaching or who
left after joining in the middle of session. so this theory became less
fruitful at this point of time too.
Influence of Methods of inquiry on EBI
Focus Group discussion
method has been followed to derive at conclusions of proposed change along with
thorough study of various journals and articles related to current problem in
hand. During preparation of this EBI, I felt to interact with student and
discuss problem and seek their opinions towards it. I conducted interview with
some students but I found they are hesitant in responding and finding
difficulties in answering two research questions considered for this EBI. When
asked they favored group discussion on the topic rather than personal
interview. In Focus group discussion, I observed positive and active behaviour
of students towards the topic and they participated actively and kept their opinions
freely and showed their eagerness in exploring core issues and seeking a
solution that meets their expectation of quality and improved learning thus
keeping them satisfied, happy and motivated to prepare for their exams with
zeal and devotion.
Review of various
literatures and articles helped me to keep focus group discussion simple
instead of making it complex and tiresome for students with an inclusion of two
simple questions that best addresses the problem and a means to get a valuable
solution that best fits students’ requirements.
In order to consider
more samples to check whether responses received are similar or varies to
authenticate and validate proposed change, Feedback from students who denied
joining online classes or left in middle; have been collected asking same two
questions and feedback report produced similar result as derived from focus
group discussion. To get more visibility, feedback from teachers on same line
has been conducted to collate issues of students’ with opinions of teachers and
feasibility of proposed change from their point of view to authenticate and
validate proposed change to be considered in EBI. This helped me to keep intact
with similar proposed change and communicate and discuss it with internal
stakeholders with more confidence and relevant facts.
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Power and politics in an
organisation plays a crucial role and impacts behaviour of employees towards
prioritizing tasks, engagement in an activity, building and maintaining
relationships, attaining productive efficiency, nurturing happy work culture at
work place, employee morale, job satisfaction and overall organisational
structure (M.T.Wroblewski, 2018). Change
is considered to be resisted always by one or more in the organisation if even it
can reap benefits to organisation (Paul
Strebel, 1996). But this may not be always true in the sense that power and
politics influences behaviour and belief of people at work place setting and
cause unnecessary impediments in smooth functioning of organisation.
If top management of
organisation supports activities that can help organisation to increase its
efficiency as happened in my case of EBI preparation where I got immense
support from my boss and members of top management, significance of power and
politics lose its existence and a fair game of putting good things at place
that can benefit organisation as a whole are kept at priority disapproving any
type of clichés spurring among different departmental heads. I experienced it
throughout this period of working on this project and found this assumption in
theories of management no place in a work environment where people are
motivated and eager to open a new road of success of organisation.
Bringing a major change
in organisation as in case of my EBI where we are shifting ourselves completely
from one mode of offering education to a completely different mode of education
that requires broader organisational structure and physical infrastructural
change; is always considered a tough phenomenon as it demands change in
policies, mission and vision statement of organisation. But if change is
proposed and implemented with relevant facts and figures supporting proposed
change and with cordial and active participation of major stakeholders of
organisation, instances of restriction against proposed change remains minimal
and is welcomed at all levels of organisation.
Express impact of MBA study on current areas enhanced (or future career enhancement).
MBA education led a
great way of success not only in preparation of this EBI but also helped me in
grasping major concepts of managerial framework that has given me an unique
perspective of looking into problems impact of which appears minimal or minor
initially but cross analysis of such issues and getting a perfect solution to
it enhances productive efficiency and reduces wastage of the company thus
keeping company functioning in smooth and profitable manner. Each and every
activity performed in an organisation is fruitful till one starts exploring
them in a unique way and targets to either eliminate redundancies or develop
better alternative to it. Managing people at work place becomes easy if one
takes into account opinions and perspectives of other person and considers
their priority equally important. Clarity and deep understanding of problems
assists in exploring and evaluating it from various perspectives and collecting
adequate and relevant data thus facilitating development of optimal solution.
Leading always creates obstacles and one must remain alert while adopting such
practices when one is not familiar with the current situation in the
organisation.
Any other change (if any) influence on EBI
If not looked into
issues being faced by my company more critically and with a perspective to go
into depth of the problem to find solution, this EBI could have taken different
shape. Instead of proposal of blended education system, the solution could have
roamed here and there in improving quality of E-Learning resources, offering
smart devices to students to attain online classes, firing current teachers
associated with my company and hiring new ones, hiring of more talented sales
personnel or increasing advertisement expenditure budget. Active participation
and support of stakeholders and their unbiased responses and their eagerness to
accept proposed change has motivated me and owner of company to implement
proposed change in the whole organisation. Sound implementation of decision
making and management process led to conduct this EBI, collect and analyze data
and communicate results to internal stakeholders in timely manner, utmost
required to successful implementation of proposed Change in the organisation.
Overall learning from the manner EBI was conducted
Conducting research
requires dedicated and effortless engagement of person undertaking it. Biasness
in selection of respondents for survey, collection and analysis of data leads
to failure of research and inability of research results to address issues and
problems considered for research work. Due diligence and patience while
collecting inquiry based evidences, fair and unbiased analysis and
interpretation of data collected and keeping motivation and morale level high
are utmost important when one is researching with an intention to get an
optimal solution to problem/s
categorically defined in research work.
Opinions, suggestion, advice and recommendation of stakeholders must be kept at priority while addressing problems that demand a detrimental structural change in the organisation. Keeping morale and motivation level of internal stakeholders to participate and give valuable inputs are essential for successful conduct of evidence based research work and generate optimal solution to a problem addressed in an EBI. Grasping depth understanding of problems, exploring opportunities and alternative solutions to the problem, keeping sources of problem at priority, valuing responses of participants of survey and other stakeholders while selecting optimal solution and getting support of members of top management while discussing and getting approval for proposed change are critical to successful implementation of outcome of EBI in the organisation.
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