Dynamic Curriculum and Dynamic Curriculum and its Implementation in its Implementation in

AGORA Studio at MERIT, AGORA Studio at MERIT, New DelhiNew Delhi

Presented ByPresented By

Bhupindar SinghBhupindar Singh

Puneet GautamPuneet Gautam

ContentsContents 1.1. IntroductionIntroduction2.2. Curriculum Development in the Current Chaotic Curriculum Development in the Current Chaotic

StateState

3.3. AGORA Studio for Software DevelopmentAGORA Studio for Software Development 4.4. Graphical Map of Agora StudioGraphical Map of Agora Studio5.5. SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis 6.6. ConclusionConclusion

IntroductionIntroduction In this era of rapid technological In this era of rapid technological

improvements, the time between R&D State improvements, the time between R&D State and Maturity State has decreased and Maturity State has decreased considerably. Despite of having affected considerably. Despite of having affected modern living in ways unimaginable some modern living in ways unimaginable some decades back, it has certain complexities decades back, it has certain complexities associated with it. associated with it.

The chaotic state of growth in this technology The chaotic state of growth in this technology has been often explained through working has been often explained through working together of ‘Three laws of Technology’, together of ‘Three laws of Technology’, namely, Moore’s Law(Processing power of namely, Moore’s Law(Processing power of microchip doubles every 18 months), Gilder’s microchip doubles every 18 months), Gilder’s Law(The total bandwidth of the communication Law(The total bandwidth of the communication system doubles after 12 months)system doubles after 12 months)

Metcalfe’s Law: The value of network Metcalfe’s Law: The value of network is square to the number of nodes , as is square to the number of nodes , as the network grows the price of getting the network grows the price of getting connected decreases. connected decreases.

To keep with the symphony of the To keep with the symphony of the chaotic growth and to provide balance chaotic growth and to provide balance & counter balance serious thoughts & counter balance serious thoughts need to be given for the development of need to be given for the development of curriculum. A dynamic curriculum that curriculum. A dynamic curriculum that evolves as fast as technology is the evolves as fast as technology is the need of the hour.need of the hour.

Curriculum Development in Curriculum Development in Current Chaotic stateCurrent Chaotic state

IT, the 20th century boon to the humanity is IT, the 20th century boon to the humanity is growing in its application almost in an exponential growing in its application almost in an exponential acceleration.acceleration.

If one considers development in any other field of If one considers development in any other field of Science & Technology since the last 4-5 centuries, Science & Technology since the last 4-5 centuries, there is no discipline which has spread its wings there is no discipline which has spread its wings anywhere comparable to IT & Computer Sciencesanywhere comparable to IT & Computer Sciences..

A Student when graduating from a A Student when graduating from a University/College are expected to take up job on University/College are expected to take up job on cutting edge technology. But with the present rate of cutting edge technology. But with the present rate of obsolescence a student graduating with the static obsolescence a student graduating with the static course could find himself ignorant of the current or course could find himself ignorant of the current or developing state of IT technology developing state of IT technology

Thus he will find himself going into some other Thus he will find himself going into some other courses for finding his place in Industry.courses for finding his place in Industry.

This paper describes strategies for curriculum This paper describes strategies for curriculum development to cope up with the situation, so development to cope up with the situation, so that this agony of the students is minimized.that this agony of the students is minimized.

AGORA Studio for Software AGORA Studio for Software DevelopmentDevelopment

VisionVision MissionMission CommunicationCommunication Technical IssuesTechnical Issues Maintenance/Clients/UsersMaintenance/Clients/Users RegulationRegulation GovernanceGovernance BudgetingBudgeting New OrganizationNew Organization Individual and Organization InterestIndividual and Organization Interest Project ManagementProject Management Access for informationAccess for information

VisionVision Our vision is founded upon the Quality of the human Our vision is founded upon the Quality of the human

spirit practiced on a continuous basis in a committed spirit practiced on a continuous basis in a committed environment of teamwork, leadership, expertise and environment of teamwork, leadership, expertise and innovation through value added education.innovation through value added education.

The vision of this organization is build on strong The vision of this organization is build on strong pillars of Strength, Dynamic Adaptation, Team Work, pillars of Strength, Dynamic Adaptation, Team Work, High Dedication.High Dedication.

The moto of this organization is:The moto of this organization is: Create corpus of fresh engineers & scientists for Create corpus of fresh engineers & scientists for

developing self- entrepreneurship through floating developing self- entrepreneurship through floating their own venture.their own venture.

The plan is to have collaborative project for The plan is to have collaborative project for developing research on emerging technologies and developing research on emerging technologies and provide individual projects to explore the avenues provide individual projects to explore the avenues

MissionMission To mould our students into sound professionals To mould our students into sound professionals

and good citizens with character and integrity.and good citizens with character and integrity.

To create environment and facilities for To create environment and facilities for achieving the above.achieving the above.

Blend well established traditional practices with Blend well established traditional practices with modern teaching methodology through a modern teaching methodology through a judicious mix of gurukul system and state of the judicious mix of gurukul system and state of the

art learning technologiesart learning technologies

CommunicationCommunication Communication is the key to the development of any Communication is the key to the development of any

organizationorganization. . At MERIT, we have an open door policy At MERIT, we have an open door policy which not only guarantees transparency but also help which not only guarantees transparency but also help individuals from all levels to take part in decision-individuals from all levels to take part in decision-making.making.

The communication link forms at different levels The communication link forms at different levels within and outside the organization.within and outside the organization.

Formal: Communication through Memos, notices.Formal: Communication through Memos, notices. Informal: Free and spontaneous share of ideas among Informal: Free and spontaneous share of ideas among

peers. peers. Internal: Balance sharing modes of communication in Internal: Balance sharing modes of communication in

Formal and informal that helps both organization and Formal and informal that helps both organization and individual. individual.

External: It believes in adopting a professional outlook External: It believes in adopting a professional outlook while dealing with clients and is mostly formal in while dealing with clients and is mostly formal in nature. nature.

Technical IssuesTechnical IssuesThe organization has various technical issues The organization has various technical issues

dealing with the dealing with the Environment, Development and the Networking. Environment, Development and the Networking.

Environment: Software, Tools, User Interface Environment: Software, Tools, User Interface

Development: Domains (Software, web, Development: Domains (Software, web, networking/hardware), Competency Recognition networking/hardware), Competency Recognition and Management, Resource Management, and Management, Resource Management, Project ManagementProject Management

Networking: Technology, Security, ScalabilityNetworking: Technology, Security, Scalability

Maintenance/Clients/UsersMaintenance/Clients/UsersThe market conditions of current scenario has to be The market conditions of current scenario has to be

worked out in worked out in order to adapt and build strong relationship with the order to adapt and build strong relationship with the

clients.clients. Feedback: Stay in touch with the staff and students to Feedback: Stay in touch with the staff and students to

constantly develop as a better organization as constantly develop as a better organization as companies relate with clients. companies relate with clients.

Feed forward: Moulding the students output into Feed forward: Moulding the students output into input for other phases of knowledge to cover. input for other phases of knowledge to cover.

Regulation: Maintaining code of conduct by Regulation: Maintaining code of conduct by respecting rules and regulations thus helping to respecting rules and regulations thus helping to preserve coordination in the organization. preserve coordination in the organization.

Governance: Proper evaluation of laws by following Governance: Proper evaluation of laws by following code of conduct and flexibility in the regulations code of conduct and flexibility in the regulations

Community Help: Awareness of the social cause. Community Help: Awareness of the social cause. MERIT focuses on awareness of computer education MERIT focuses on awareness of computer education in society.in society.

Youth Counseling: To create all round professionals at Youth Counseling: To create all round professionals at Merit by seeking the current demand of the industry. Merit by seeking the current demand of the industry.

RegulationRegulationThis aspect forms an important part of the discipline and thus toThis aspect forms an important part of the discipline and thus tothe governance.the governance. Government Authority: Respect the laws and follow the strict Government Authority: Respect the laws and follow the strict

rules of the organization.rules of the organization. Self regulation: At MERIT the rules are flexible to provide ampleSelf regulation: At MERIT the rules are flexible to provide ample opportunities for creative innovation of the ideas of Individuals opportunities for creative innovation of the ideas of Individuals to perform tasks.to perform tasks. Market regulation: Demand and Technology keeps on changing Market regulation: Demand and Technology keeps on changing

so we at MERIT keeps tune with the government regulations.so we at MERIT keeps tune with the government regulations. Co-regulation: Exchange of knowledge and applying skills by Co-regulation: Exchange of knowledge and applying skills by

having good communication at hierarchy levels.having good communication at hierarchy levels. Code of conduct: Free mind to pursue any activity they desire to Code of conduct: Free mind to pursue any activity they desire to

help them use their creativity.help them use their creativity. Ethical and value system: These codes of conducts are Ethical and value system: These codes of conducts are

primarily concerned with ethical and moral issuesprimarily concerned with ethical and moral issues..

GovernanceGovernanceThe firm conduct of the activities inside the organization The firm conduct of the activities inside the organization

following following rules and regulation.rules and regulation. Competence Recognition: A tool used for Skill Analysis, Competence Recognition: A tool used for Skill Analysis,

Succession Planning, Competence Analysis& Profiling and Succession Planning, Competence Analysis& Profiling and thus used to ensure individual standard in an thus used to ensure individual standard in an organization.organization.

Rules and Regulations: The individuals creativity cannot Rules and Regulations: The individuals creativity cannot be restricted it has to be conducted firmly by applying be restricted it has to be conducted firmly by applying flexible rules and regulations.flexible rules and regulations.

Structure: MERIT, An NGO but based on the corporate Structure: MERIT, An NGO but based on the corporate model providing free and congenial atmosphere in the model providing free and congenial atmosphere in the organization.organization.

Human Resource Management: Structured procedure Human Resource Management: Structured procedure ensuring better recruitment.ensuring better recruitment.

Performance Appraisal: To find the worth of an employee. Performance Appraisal: To find the worth of an employee. Exams/Evaluation: Evaluation of students based on yearly Exams/Evaluation: Evaluation of students based on yearly

exams to evaluate their capabilities.exams to evaluate their capabilities. Communication : Formal, Informal, Internal, External.Communication : Formal, Informal, Internal, External.

BudgetingBudgeting A crucial part of every activity to be carried out A crucial part of every activity to be carried out

in the organization.in the organization.

Time: Most crucial part sometimes even more Time: Most crucial part sometimes even more then money. The project undertaken has to be then money. The project undertaken has to be completed in the decided time frame, this completed in the decided time frame, this accounts to planning and discipline accounts to planning and discipline

Resource: This includes money, efforts and staff Resource: This includes money, efforts and staff and the technical devices. and the technical devices.

Cost: Cost Estimations of the project after Cost: Cost Estimations of the project after

dealing with the market moving strategiesdealing with the market moving strategies..

New OrganizationNew Organization

Security Security CompetenceCompetence BudgetingBudgeting Access of information Access of information Vision/Objective: RegulationVision/Objective: Regulation

Individual and Organization Individual and Organization InterestInterest

Self development: Individuals skill development Self development: Individuals skill development is must as they forms the origination, so let them is must as they forms the origination, so let them make their wings flexible enough to fly freely and make their wings flexible enough to fly freely and contribute their thoughts independently. contribute their thoughts independently.

Relationships: Good relationship within the Relationships: Good relationship within the organization and with the clients is important. organization and with the clients is important.

Organization Goals Organization Goals Individual Efforts: Complete dedication towards Individual Efforts: Complete dedication towards

the job being assigned to the individuals. the job being assigned to the individuals. Team Spirit and Synergy: At Merit, lots of effort Team Spirit and Synergy: At Merit, lots of effort

is put on an individuals growth and creativity to is put on an individuals growth and creativity to

work as team spirit.work as team spirit.

Graphical Map of MERITGraphical Map of MERIT

Access for InformationAccess for Information SecuritySecurity Governance Governance Quality assurance through data gathering: Countless Quality assurance through data gathering: Countless

resources are providing the information but vital resources are providing the information but vital information providers are only the few ones. information providers are only the few ones.

Copy Rights: The administrator holds the privileges Copy Rights: The administrator holds the privileges to make changes in the database of the system to make changes in the database of the system

Limitation to Non-Public Information Access/System Limitation to Non-Public Information Access/System Logins & Passwords: Only access to the public Logins & Passwords: Only access to the public information else copyrights would be violated. information else copyrights would be violated. System logins would ensure the securitySystem logins would ensure the security

System Logs:System Logs: To maintain a log table of information To maintain a log table of information accessing members to check the information most accessing members to check the information most accessed by users so as to ensure them latest accessed by users so as to ensure them latest updates and also the accessing non-valid users. updates and also the accessing non-valid users.

Working PlanWorking Plan Total Quality Management/Total Management: Total Quality Management/Total Management:

While working here at MERIT we are focusing While working here at MERIT we are focusing more on the Quality.more on the Quality.

Budgeting: Before scheduling the plans we work Budgeting: Before scheduling the plans we work out the budget for efficient utilization of resources.out the budget for efficient utilization of resources.

Feasibility: Technical, Political, Economic Feasibility: Technical, Political, Economic Feasibility is carried out to achieve better results.Feasibility is carried out to achieve better results.

Flexibility: The plans should be flexible enough to Flexibility: The plans should be flexible enough to enjoy working and save extra effort on budgeting.enjoy working and save extra effort on budgeting.

GovernanceGovernance Interaction: This component is focused to share the Interaction: This component is focused to share the

knowledge and enhance the skills.knowledge and enhance the skills. Cooperation: The staff is cooperative and always Cooperation: The staff is cooperative and always

ready to hold the job.ready to hold the job.

Strategy of TransmissionStrategy of Transmission The flexible dealing with the plans for swift The flexible dealing with the plans for swift

transmission from one plan to the other.transmission from one plan to the other. Plans: Two to three possibilities are Plans: Two to three possibilities are

charted out with feasible factor in case of charted out with feasible factor in case of failure of one.failure of one.

FlexibilityFlexibility Code of Conduct: Thorough governing of Code of Conduct: Thorough governing of

rules and regulations.rules and regulations. BudgetingBudgeting Communication Level: Due to cooperative Communication Level: Due to cooperative

nature and high level of communication nature and high level of communication planning of strategy is quite easy.planning of strategy is quite easy.

Interoperability: Seamless shifting of the Interoperability: Seamless shifting of the plans, unaffecting various other factors.plans, unaffecting various other factors.

SWOT AnalysisSWOT Analysis Create corpus of engineers for self Create corpus of engineers for self

Entrepreneurship.Entrepreneurship.

A++ Infrastructure, Guidance/Expertise people, A++ Infrastructure, Guidance/Expertise people, High Dedication, Moto, Inter-development.High Dedication, Moto, Inter-development.

Best approach is to provide individual projects to Best approach is to provide individual projects to explore the avenues. explore the avenues.

Planning curriculum development on emerging Planning curriculum development on emerging technology with open Universities.technology with open Universities.

WeaknessWeakness Marketing Emphasis can be inspired.Marketing Emphasis can be inspired.

Some time one feels the organization is too Some time one feels the organization is too meticulous on Value system/Ethicsmeticulous on Value system/Ethics..

OpportunitiesOpportunities Non ProfitabilityNon Profitability

Links in Government & Industry is very strong Links in Government & Industry is very strong since everyone in India & abroad values expertisesince everyone in India & abroad values expertise

Decision implementation is quickDecision implementation is quick

A++ InfrastructureA++ Infrastructure

ThreatsThreats

Market Threat.Market Threat. Long term goals.Long term goals. Resource threat.Resource threat. Competition through corporate.Competition through corporate. Complexity of technical environment.Complexity of technical environment. Lack of awareness and motivation to Lack of awareness and motivation to

react.react. Attack on network and its components.Attack on network and its components.

SWOT Analysis of MERIT SWOT Analysis of MERIT using 4-D Coordinatesusing 4-D Coordinates

The above cuboids structure shows 4-D The above cuboids structure shows 4-D SWOT analysis of MERIT. The 4-D forms the SWOT analysis of MERIT. The 4-D forms the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats .Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats .

The edges of the cubical structure forms the The edges of the cubical structure forms the different modules of the MERIT as different modules of the MERIT as Budgeting, Governance, Vision& Objective, Budgeting, Governance, Vision& Objective, Regulation, Access to Information, etc. Thus Regulation, Access to Information, etc. Thus addition of every different module would addition of every different module would form the edge of the cuboids. form the edge of the cuboids.

The further addition would convert the 4-D The further addition would convert the 4-D Diagram into 5-D. With every module of the Diagram into 5-D. With every module of the organization relates the Strength, Weakness, organization relates the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities & the Threat and thus Opportunities & the Threat and thus calculates the impact of these factors in one calculates the impact of these factors in one module with the other module. module with the other module.

The four factors are being numbered from 0-The four factors are being numbered from 0-5 to calculate the SWOT value at every edge 5 to calculate the SWOT value at every edge and thus check its impact on the other and thus check its impact on the other module so that proper re-organization of module so that proper re-organization of these modules can be done to gain positive these modules can be done to gain positive result.result.

Strength – 5Strength – 5 Weakness – 4Weakness – 4 Opportunities - 3Opportunities - 3 Threats - 2Threats - 2 A base value is being set for accepting the SWOT A base value is being set for accepting the SWOT

value. The value lower than the base value would value. The value lower than the base value would help the organization to seek the weaker factor in help the organization to seek the weaker factor in the module of the organization and thus work the module of the organization and thus work further to strengthen it. In the above structure further to strengthen it. In the above structure there are coordinates (0,1,1,0), (1,0,1,0), (1,1,0,0) there are coordinates (0,1,1,0), (1,0,1,0), (1,1,0,0) which are having the direct impact at the end result which are having the direct impact at the end result and the coordinates (0,0,1,0), (1,0,0,0), (0,1,0,0) and the coordinates (0,0,1,0), (1,0,0,0), (0,1,0,0) are having the indirect impact.are having the indirect impact.

(1,0,0,0) – Strength(1,0,0,0) – Strength (0,1,0,0) - Weakness(0,1,0,0) - Weakness (0,0,1,0) – Opportunities(0,0,1,0) – Opportunities (0,0,0,1) – Threats(0,0,0,1) – Threats

1. {(0,1,0,0) -Weakness (1,1,0,0) – Strength, 1. {(0,1,0,0) -Weakness (1,1,0,0) – Strength, Weakness} = (1,1,1,0) – Strength, Weakness, Weakness} = (1,1,1,0) – Strength, Weakness, OpportunitiesOpportunities

The coordinates (0,1,0,0) and (1,1,0,0) shows that The coordinates (0,1,0,0) and (1,1,0,0) shows that opportunities derive the Strength of the organization opportunities derive the Strength of the organization and the new opportunities opens the gateway for the and the new opportunities opens the gateway for the weak points in the different modules in the weak points in the different modules in the organization and so the resultant is (1,1,1,0).organization and so the resultant is (1,1,1,0).

2. {( 0,1,0,0) & (0,1,1,0) – These coordinates shows 2. {( 0,1,0,0) & (0,1,1,0) – These coordinates shows the weakness further followed by the opportunities the weakness further followed by the opportunities thus giving the chance to the organization to thus giving the chance to the organization to strength itself.strength itself.

3. {(0,0,1,0) & (0,1,1,0) – The opportunities followed 3. {(0,0,1,0) & (0,1,1,0) – The opportunities followed by the weakness shows that the new opportunities by the weakness shows that the new opportunities gives the way to heal the weak points in the module.gives the way to heal the weak points in the module.

4. {(1,0,0,0) &(1,0,1,0) – Here the coordinates 4. {(1,0,0,0) &(1,0,1,0) – Here the coordinates shows the strength followed by the opportunities shows the strength followed by the opportunities thus the new opportunities giving the way for the thus the new opportunities giving the way for the organization to strengthen itself and gain the result organization to strengthen itself and gain the result positive.positive.

5. {(0,0,1,0) &(1,0,1,0) – Opportunities followed by 5. {(0,0,1,0) &(1,0,1,0) – Opportunities followed by Strength motivates the organization to be confident, Strength motivates the organization to be confident, enthusiastic and positive about the growth. enthusiastic and positive about the growth.

Relationship between Strength and Relationship between Strength and

OpportunityOpportunity

The above diagrammatic analysis shows that the The above diagrammatic analysis shows that the relationship between the Strength along X-axis& relationship between the Strength along X-axis& Opportunities along Y-axis. As the Opportunities for Opportunities along Y-axis. As the Opportunities for an organization are increasing along the different an organization are increasing along the different modules as Governance, Budgeting, Access to modules as Governance, Budgeting, Access to Information, Project Management etc the strength Information, Project Management etc the strength of the organization also increases and thus it adds to of the organization also increases and thus it adds to the overall increase in the strength where at some the overall increase in the strength where at some point in the future it becomes constant along the Y-point in the future it becomes constant along the Y-axis.axis.

Strength

Opportunities

Relationship between Opportunity and Relationship between Opportunity and ThreatThreat

The above relationship between Opportunities The above relationship between Opportunities along X-axis and Threat along Y-axis reveals that along X-axis and Threat along Y-axis reveals that as the opportunities for an organization are as the opportunities for an organization are increasing the chances of threat are decreasing. increasing the chances of threat are decreasing. As the threat chances are rare for any As the threat chances are rare for any organization so it will remain at a constant point organization so it will remain at a constant point as the opportunities are increasing thus as the opportunities are increasing thus strengthening the organization.strengthening the organization.

Opportunities

Threats

Relationship between Weakness and ThreatsRelationship between Weakness and Threats

The above relationship shows Weakness along X-axis The above relationship shows Weakness along X-axis & Threats axis Y-axis that if an organization shows & Threats axis Y-axis that if an organization shows prolonged weakness in its modules then at some prolonged weakness in its modules then at some point it would give the chance to the organization to point it would give the chance to the organization to recover from that weakness and if it does not able to recover from that weakness and if it does not able to do so then the resultant would be that organization do so then the resultant would be that organization would be at much weaker point from where it would would be at much weaker point from where it would not be possible for them to recover back and thus not be possible for them to recover back and thus leading to the close of organizationleading to the close of organization. .

Weakness

Threats

Relationship between Strength and Relationship between Strength and ThreatThreat

The above relationship shows that Strength along X-The above relationship shows that Strength along X-axis & Threats along Y-axis .When the organization axis & Threats along Y-axis .When the organization has strengthen its wings the occurrence of the has strengthen its wings the occurrence of the threat does not deal big to it. As still the threat has threat does not deal big to it. As still the threat has rare occurrence but it puts a major impact for a rare occurrence but it puts a major impact for a sustained period of time and then after that the sustained period of time and then after that the opportunities helps the organization to recover from opportunities helps the organization to recover from the threat and strengthen its wings again.the threat and strengthen its wings again.

Strength

Threats

ConclusionConclusion

The conclusion follows that every module The conclusion follows that every module in the organization has direct and indirect in the organization has direct and indirect impact over the other module thus setting impact over the other module thus setting out the base value for the SWOT we can out the base value for the SWOT we can calculate the four factors namely Strength, calculate the four factors namely Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat at every Weakness, Opportunity, Threat at every module and mould the growth of the module and mould the growth of the organization accordingly. Sometimes the organization accordingly. Sometimes the impact could be additive but non-linearimpact could be additive but non-linear..