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Smart B-Schools Survey 2010
Mapping SMART B-Schools: Consolidating Technologically A first in the series of ongoing efforts to track the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage patterns, we bring our readers a trend analysis of the extent of technological integration in B-Schools. The report compiles the results of the responses received and gives us an estimate of the overall patterns in technological integration. 17 B-Schools participate in the digital LEARNING sample survey exercise to map the technological integration trends. The survey was done by randomly selecting 17 B-Schools from across India who have responded to the SMART B-School Survey Questionnaire. Overall parameters used for the study have included technological integration patterns in the administrative functions, course content, IT investments and training programmes. Read on to find out more... More than 90% of the respondents have said that the admission forms of their respective institutes are available online and the admission and selection results, once declared, are also displayed on the website. This has proved to be a boon for out-of-station students do not have to travel to distant places to ascertain their admission status. Around 50% of the respondents have implemented the system of electronic evaluation of semester and entrance exams. It can be estimated from this that majority of the evaluation processes are done manually by the supervising authority. ICT Usage in Classroom Discourse Technology in Administration Administrative functioning has been observed to be well integrated with technology in the responding B-Schools. The use of biometric attendance system is on the rise and most of the Management Schools, who do not yet have the biometric attendance system in place, have expressed their interest
in implementing the system in the near future. According to the administrative functionaries, the use of biometric system/ smart cards have helped avoid a lot of manual and paper work and has eased the burden on the administrative staff. Digital tracking of attendance and ready availability of the attendance records to the relevant staff/faculty have helped in maintaining accountability and a transparent administrative process.
All responding institutes are using digital projectors on a regular basis, although many feel that it is already outdated! The trend now is move towards the use of Smart Boards and Interactive White Boards for classroom discourse. Even though the poll shows only 38% of the respondents using Interactive White Boards, the adoption of this technology by Management Institutes will be continuous and steady. digital LEARNING
february 2010
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