Understanding the Adult Learner

S.Vijay Kumar
Asst.Professor HR&OB
GITAM INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
GITAM UNIVERSITY
Management Education …..

MBA Diversity – Different

Strokes for Different Folks
• Influencing the ‘mindset’– Build competencies
that build character
• Architecting, Articulating and Accomplishing
Change for better
• Exciting, Enticing, Energizing, Empowering
people
 Management Education
Context specific
• Purpose – “To acquire Qualification” vs.
“Competency Enhancement”
• Objective Diversity
• Technology - In class, Out class (OBT),
Virtual/Digital; Limited Reach vs. Unlimited
Reach (Dial-ins, Webinars)
• Relevant for Future: Immediate & Distant
 Mgt. Education aims @
• Character
• Compatibility
• Competence
• Conviction
• Courage
• Composure
• Confidence; and above all,
• Contextual Sensitivity (Behavioral,
Organizational and Cultural)
 Learner Perspectives!
• People who just watch things happen
• People who do not allow others to watch
what’s happening
• People who just want “things to happen”
only to themselves
• People who make things happen when
opportunity comes
• People who make things happen even
when odds are against them
 Learners levels of Ambition
Knowing the Unknowing

• Uninformed (diversity in UG Background)

• Uninformed but Ambitious
• Ambitious but not “Adequately Equipped with
Knowledge ”
• Adequately Equipped but lack Opportunities to
show case their “Talent”
• Appropriately Experienced but want to get
compensated even for their “learning period”
• Experienced but not willing to learn any further
 Diversity in Learner personality

• Loud Linguist
• Kite Flyer
• Literate Youngster
• Silent Observer
• Alienated Ass
• Experienced Elder
• Omnipotent
• Intellectualizer
 Facilitator Traits
• Go beyond the individual learner
• Build “Emotional Relationships”
• Link outside classroom learning with inside class
teaching
• Provide “Conditional Freedom”
• Enhance Tolerance for Ambiguities, Disagreements and
Dissents
• Build value for Transparency and Trust
 THANK YOU

Management education
means building an “Inclusive Society”

Spl thanks to Prof. Ravi Kumar IIMB

vijays@gitam.edu