Learnings & Pedagogy in Indian Higher Education: Prof M K Vajpayee Vice Chancellor, Capital University

Pedagogy is the key to effective learning in higher education. In India, the teaching methodology varies from one education institution to another. A well-designed innovative pedagogy in higher education would enhance the quality of teaching and learning practices with effective interaction among the faculty and students creating a robust learning environment leading to group dynamics. Universities in India barely focuses on effective pedagogy, The focus should be shifted towards the modification of the teaching methodology that caters  to the market need and employment such as customization education, training solution, variety of degree programs and services to meet the needs of today’s corporate world and provide a broad educational foundation focusing on business and technology, designed to prepare students for leadership position s in a dynamic global market place.

In India, higher education only focuses greatly on academics and restricts itself to traditional classroom coaching, rather than involving in experiential learning which should be an integral part of the curriculum. Research is another critical component in higher education as the business demands are as many as they are complicated and need constant monitoring and a huge amount of prolific research which is lacking in today’s higher education system. Research in higher education pedagogy is essential in the emerging educational world towards developing an innovative learning environment and prepare graduate students to become wealth creators. 

The academic programs in most of the education Institutions offer inadequate scope in Interdisciplinary learning that disables the faculty and students’ connections between different areas of learning. Hence, the curriculum should be designed and developed more coherently and meaningful that supports the use and application of what has been taught and learned in new different ways providing opportunities for learning in-depth. Integrating skill development in any disciple of study as an apart of management skills in-depth by leveraging advanced technological trends that are currently dominating the global market are to be incorporated in higher education curricula in India, which is presently flawed.

The role of professional faculty is utmost important in enhancing the quality of academic delivery by incorporating their experiences to add value to the courses taught and also apprising their own knowledge as per the industry based designed curriculum which is much needed in the Indian Higher Education system, today. The assessment system is another area that has to be focused on the measures both the effectiveness of our academic offerings and the academic achievement of students – including their cognitive or professional discipline achievement, their affective attitudes and skills such as teamwork, self-efficacy, confidence, written and oral communication skills and critical thinking.

The framework upon which the curricula on higher education are developed by the present universities in India is ineffective because of the application of traditional pedagogy. Therefore it is suggested that the curricula and the teaching methodology should be designed and developed with the pace of time, understanding industry requirements and to be built based on mass online education, digital technology and life-long learning that the theory is expressed in the University’s curricula organization and meets the aims and objectives of the institution. Instructional time in the University classroom should be balanced with that of theoretical and practical content such as class discussion, participation and activities, individual and group assignments based on the present need for employment where faculty members demonstrate through discussion and facilitate the acquisition and application of theoretical content knowledge. Introducing of active learning model would be another mode of teaching in the higher education institutes which are based on an assumption of the learner’s active involvement in the learning process leading to good practice. Creating a constructive learning environment including case study and simulation method in university classrooms enables the learner to connect more extensively with the cognitive domain and are intended to be in the dynamic learning spaces. Managing the learning process by engaging learners in a variety of learning activities will enable the students to an understanding of course content and the development of academic and professional competence. Some of the didactic elements existing in every course could be avoided through enhanced augmented participation through discussion, debate, reflection, and application. Why the IIMs and IITs are being the top-notch management institutes in India for higher education? These institutes adopted innovative learning and teaching models as compared to other universities that follow traditional pedagogy for several years, hence the difference is simple. The intake of students with over ninety-nine percentile and placed with high salary package with the leading Industries in India and overseas including innovative unique pedagogy makes these institutes premier and pioneer in the field of higher education in India. Most of the higher education institutions and universities are graded according to the parameters and guidelines sited by the Education Ministry of India.

Bringing change in the teaching model every year and curriculum based on Industry requirement, Industry experienced research faculty, robust infrastructure and beyond classroom education would enhance the quality of education, increase in employment and entrepreneurship. Understanding the science of pedagogy and implementing the same would make a difference in the education system in India in the future.