2 Practices From Abroad That Indian Colleges Should Adopt

In this rapidly evolving world, we are all trying to improve and become a better version of ourselves. Academic institutions should also try to keep up with the latest trends and practices that are happening in the world for the betterment and overall development of their students.

In this context, below are 2 brilliant practices I observed while studying abroad that I wish more educational institutes across the globe, especially Indian institutions and colleges, would adopt and implement.

Only by proactively making consistent and dedicated efforts towards the same will teach our students to be prepared and flexible for situations that test their skills.

Cumulative

Here, the syllabus of the exam; such as a final exam, includes all the material that has been taught or covered since the very beginning of the course work.

Non-cumulative

On the other hand, here the syllabus of an exam; such as a final exam, includes all the material covered after a certain exam was conducted instead of the entire material covered since the very beginning of the course.

As it doesn’t seem that there are a lot of good reasons to test a student again on the material that the student has already been tested on and given evaluation for.

So, we can all learn that an exam, especially a final exam, doesn’t necessarily have to be cumulative at all. Moreover, conducting a non-cumulative exam would not hinder a student’s learning progress or academic growth.

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How a team is formed?

And I also learned whether a team always needs to be formed!

Flexibility

First and foremost, it’s quite obvious that not all required activities for a class should need compulsory participation as a team.

Allowing students flexibility is very necessary. And, many activities could (and should) be allowed to be completed either individually or as a team, depending upon the preference of a student.

The student’s best interest comes first

However, for those parts of a class that cannot do without team-forming, it is very likely in the best interest of the students.

As far as factors like course outcomes are concerned, a team be formed by the respective teachers and teaching assistants or course assistants such that maximum diversity is maintained in teams.

Important benefits to such formation of a team by a professor and team are as:

• It is a lot closer to the real world, wherein one has to deal with unfamiliar people to solve issues and problems.
• It could give students a glimpse into the corporate world, wherein teammates are assigned and not chosen based on one’s tastes and likes and dislikes.

So, tweaking the current practices and making appropriate adjustments where necessary would very likely prove to be beneficial for the overall growth and learning experience of students.

This would, undoubtedly, also make students more ready and better prepared to face the challenges that real life brings with it.

Image Source: SDI Productions, via Getty Images, free and edited on CanvaPro

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