Class Participation techniques at IIM, Ahmedabad, during 67-69. Nothing special about this page except that my writing may be readable, if free.

IIMA Educational Method: It has adopted Case Method of Education. A student has to study the business related case, have studied the relevant reference materials as well from the library, analysed the problem and evaluated the different options available to optimise the results, given the constraints. When called by the Professor in a class, he has to present the case and justify his option/s, amidst arguments for and against by the Professor and other students.

For me, it was a refreshingly different and practical way to learn a subject well - after having spent 16 years earlier, memorising formulae, equations and what not to get my M.Sc. degree in Organic Chemistry
 

Students newsletter  - My funny piece on CP

In 1968, we had Indianman News for restricted circulation amongst the PGP participants and the staff - teaching as we as office staff. The newsletter was due to the initiative of Shri M.S. Suresh Rao and Alex Joseph.

CP  means  Class Participation:  My article about CP was published in the 9th December 1968 and 30th December 1968 issues. They cut the article into 2 pieces perhaps as a measure of safety and concern for others.  After the first part got the proper appreciation, the editors printed the second part. It used to cyclostyled then, in duplicate copying papers
 
 

" If you know a subject, teach it, otherwise use case method".

This is the advice one Professor received from his colleague in States. Adopting this phrase to CP, it should read, if you have anything worth doing, go ahead. Otherwise, do CP. The problem is you cannot always play Naval Warfare or read a novel in the class. Having joined this case method Institute, you are forced to talk something at one time or other. Here are a few tips for such occasions

 

The first thing to do is to know thyself. There are essentially 3 types of students - the seekers, seekers cum participants and the Participants. Seekers are those who claim to be interested in the pursuit of knowledge in this Institute. Participants are down to earth realists who believe that their future does not depend upon their course selections or grades, but on their past qualifications and contacts. Or, they have come here to postpone unemployment. Anyway, they want to enjoy the 2 years stay here, putting in, the minimum efforts and getting contented with average results. Between these two ends of the spectrum, are the seekers cum participants, who have interest in one area and want to relax in other subjects. Depending upon the category to which you belong, your strategy should vary

 

For Seekers - Confucius Philosophy

The method is to make some calculations in an unwanted fashion which will confuse both the lecturer and the helpless colleagues. In the brief 70 minutes period, others cannot follow what the seekers say. If any sign of understanding is registered on the listeners faces, some more calculations can be thrown. It would be advantageous for 2 or more seekers to join together in this evil plot. In essence, they have to follow the law of deliberate confusion.

This novel approach is based on 'quotes'. When you cite a journal's name, others will think that you have read it. When you mention an unheard of term [ eg say Asafodtax - from asafodotia and X to make an ending ] you are mistaken to be well read - foreign authors. If you want to reach still further heights, quote 2 imaginary authors for 2 extremes, present a solution advocated by another yet to be born author. This system is risky and need to be used with caution.

They do not have any separate technique. They have to follow the seekers or behave the participant do, to suit the occasion and requirements.

Participants CP - Trumpet or Blow your Horn

Let me start with the well known but wrongly applied technique, ACBC - after class and before class. Many believe that BC means meeting the Professors before the class and talk with him generally some irrelevant things about cases, Dakota flight from Delhi or Executive Programmes. This is mere greeting mistaken for CP and it can hardly make any impact. The right method to follow, is for 3 or 4 to join together, go near the Professor without meeting him, [ make sure he would hear you ] and talk about the choas brought about by the Management by not using the scientific management principles. The Prof would think that you know something though you dont talk much in the class.

Side Rule 1: If there is a case, there should be a problem.

Proof: Otherwise there in no fun in printing, distributing and discussing the cases

Side Rule 2: For every problem, Management is responsible either directly or indirectly.

Proof: In you leisure time, go through some cases. [ We were nowhere near the cases / trouble spots ]

Another BC technique is to go to the Professor's room once a month with real or imaginary doubts - preferably request him to explain some portions of an article. To avoid further disturbance, embarrassment or imagining that you are learning, the Professor might give you a better grade

This is a AC method involving understanding of human nature. Remember that human beings look for appreciation after completing a task, though in varying degrees. After the end of the class, on days when the Prof is relatively free, approach him with arguments summarising what others had said in the class, [ you can be sure he would not remember all the silly points made in the class] emphatically refuting the points of those who disagreed [ lay greater emphasis on this ] and sum it up saying that it was an "enjoyable class" and you really learnt 'something'. [ As a precautionary measure, keep a glass of water ready ]

Prof: Yes, you

Huduth: .. I am Huduth, S, Sir. Mr Ouchmusthy said for the country [ or industry, company ] to continue in the same way without considering the problems posed by the changed environments would be disastrous. Some of the problems need urgent solutions and a complete rethinking on the whole issue. I think we are agreed upon that.

Prof...yea

Huduth: As such, the points raised by Mr Ouchmusthy are quite valid. But B raised an objection to points made by musthy and I am not able to appreciate the views expressed by B per se. We cannot say the arguments of B are wrong. We should see both sides of the coin.

Prof: yes, we should take that into account

Huduth: Certainly Sir. As you said, we should consider that. That is what C attempted, I think. I would go along with C in this matter and I think his suggestions are worthy of consideration. But again, his arguments are not without criticism.

Prof: yes, continue.

Huduth: Perhaps we could channelise our discussion in this direction and am sure the class would benefit by such discussion

Prof: any more point

Huduth: I am Huduth S, sir

Side Rule 3: Start and end your CP by saying your name completely. Otherwise if you are Popatlal and just say Lal, the credit [?] might go to Lal Supari Seth

Empty Co, if continued beyond 6 minutes, the participants get into a state of trance and the CP takes the name of LSD CP

You should support another participant's cp after his arguments have been challenged by a third person. In qualitative subjects, you can use this method in supporting incentive schemes, Organisation structure changes, etc. It would be better to reach an agreement before the start of the class with another participant.

In contrast to the above, you violently disagree with the points raised by another [ particularly that nut Mr X]. You can say that it would not suit Indian conditions, promote smoother relations, etc or motivation of employees in important. When you say such things, you are of course sure that you can argue your case for the rest of your life if any challenges.

Agree with some points of A. Repeat what B said refuting A's arguments. Support some other points. Observe that both A and B made certain valid points. Request the Professor to decide between the two, stating you are not able to reach a conclusion. You are giving an opportunity to the Professor by this method, to give his 'considered opinion' and Oh boy, just relax.

This method is applicable when you have read the case partly and you are not able to say much on the case. When the Professors asks the class in general for some minor clarification, calculations or figures from the case, shout at the top of your voice, the right answer. It indicates your alertness in the class. You are saved that day from getting called to do CP

When your neighbour wakes you up suddenly in the class, shout immediately that you do not agree with the views expressed by the speaker and / or request him to explain the point once again. This is spot brilliance

Curbing deal would be to ask whether the speaker considered the fact that the President of the company is only 45 years and 9 months old or the statement that the Executive VP's wife is not of late feeling well.

To apply this CP technique, you should seat yourself such that the professor can see you easily. The professor is also a human being. He needs support for his statements, proof to the effect that at least some are listening to him. So, what you do 'is effect twinkles in the eyes' or nod your head in the vertical plane [avoid nodding horizontal plane for it can be mistaken when you are careless or fall asleep]

Having got disgusted with dogs and donkeys, the participants have a soft corner for the birds, especially the parrots. Here is the evidence. What they do is to repeat the case data. Timing is crucial. Opening a difficult case often helps.

Creative CP

This is the most novel approach to the whole problem of CP. If only this method is recognised, the work load of the participants would be considerably reduced. There would no longer be any fight for CP in the class. Unfortunately this method is not appreciated by the professors generally, though adoption of this technique make one a hero amongst the participants. Following examples would prove that

1. Israel has successfully tried a new method of farm irrigation and adoption of ....

Prof: Mr...shall we talk about the farm irrigation at Navgam taluk, Gujarat State [ result of having suddenly started reading newspapers

2. Then there is only one course of action - Nationlise the Planning Commission [ result of reading only Communist hand outs and that too upside down ]

3. I would recommend this approach strongly. Mr Gregor has said...

Prof: Mr ... you are in the Accounts class and not in Personnel / HRD class [ result of being over enthusiastic to do CP

4. The discrepancy is only 50 cents in the Balance Sheet and no arithmetical mistake. What if I have interchanged two entries. I will pay the difference if you want    [ 2 of these jokes are by S. Ramaswamy ]

Let me close this article by mentioning the least popular method. In this system, the speaker is not bothered about the grade. He wants to be true to his own self. For practising this system two things need to be done. That is,  Reading the case thoroughly and Going through extra references whenever required.

Certainly one will learn something by this approach. But should anyone be really bothered when there are so many easier steps.

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