The field of MBA has undergone a seismic shift over the last few years. Initially driven across lecture halls and group projects, the course is now heavily dependent on LMS and digital learning resources—all credits to advanced online MBA programs. This transformative mode of education has emerged as a flexible and convenient alternative, transcending geographical barriers.
Since the inception of online teaching, access to higher education is no longer a hurdle, relieving learners from a trade-off between career and academics. Online MBA programs today assert the importance of online learning, as they enable learners to advance academically without stepping away from work.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the various ways online MBA is taught, exploring everything from teaching methodologies to e-assessments.
MBA Degree Online: Decoding the Core Teaching Strategies
Educational platforms are now innovating intriguing teaching methodologies to engage and educate learners. Let's explore a few such innovative strategies used by the most popular educational platforms offering online MBA programs:
Asynchronous learning
Asynchronous learning helps students to learn at their own pace, promising autonomy. They can engage with the course materials on their schedule, promising more learning flexibility.
The key components of this learning methodology include:
- Pre-recorded Lectures: Learners can view the lectures at their convenience. At many institutes, these lectures also come with transcripts, catering to a multi-lingual audience.
- Discussion Boards: These boards encourage peer interaction and sharing feedback. It helps in community building in asynchronous settings.
- Self-paced Modules: Aligned with quizzes and assignments, this component lets learners progress through content at their own speed.
Synchronous learning
Synchronous learning involves a real-time interaction between the educator and the learner. There is real-time virtual engagement mimicking a traditional educational set-up.
The key components of this methodology include:
- Live Webinars & Virtual Classrooms: Platforms like Zoom are mostly used for lectures. Some platforms come with breakout sessions and collaborative activities that help the learner engage with their peers.
- Real-time Discussions: This methodology incorporates immediate feedback. It comes with discussion sessions, which enhance learner understanding and engagement.
Blended/Hybrid models
This learning model offers the best of both worlds—online content learning with occasional in-person meetings.
The key components of this methodology include:
- Meetups or Residencies: The meeting sessions in this methodology focus on networking. Other than connecting, it also focuses on experiential learning and team-building.
- Online Content Delivery: Every core learning material is given to the learners online. Even the assignments and discussions are handled digitally with the help of learning platforms.
Technology That Fuels Online MBA Courses
Online MBA programs utilize a custom-equipped digital ecosystem that makes learning simple and engaging for students. These programs are fueled by multiple technologies that ensure seamless content delivery and prioritize student engagement.
Some common technologies used by online MBA courses are:
Learning management systems
Platforms like Blackboard form the basis of such digital courses. They come with centralized access to course materials, discussion boards, and assignment submission portals. They also have attendance tracking tools and gradebooks.
Video conferencing tools
When teaching an online MBA curriculum, tools like Zoom are often used for live classes, webinars, and guest lectures. These tools facilitate real-time interactions with peers and faculty, and offer breakout rooms for a quick group discussion.
Interactive tools
Many online MBA courses also use a range of digital tools. These include:
- Kahoot for quizzes and live polls
- Padlet for collaborative brainstorming
- Miro for project mapping and workflow design
Assessments and Feedback in Online MBA Programs
Assessments in online MBA curricula are continuous and flexible. They are designed to be interactive and constructive, which helps learners in their academics. The instructor's feedback can be automated, with instant scorecards. Other times, instructors share personalized feedback on discussions.
Some of the most common assessment methods include:
- Presentations, which are either recorded or delivered via video conferencing.
- Reports and projects submitted on LMS platforms.
- Online proctored semester-based examinations.
What are the Benefits of Online Education?
Considering their varied benefits, the online MBA programs in India are gaining more and more prominence every day. Some advantages of online teaching include:
- Flexibility and convenience: Letting learners consume learning material at their own pace.
- Cost-effectiveness: Eliminating costs associated with traditional MBA programs, including the course fee and personal living expenses.
- Geographic independence: Enabling professionals and lifelong learners to access higher education from anywhere around the world.
- Global opportunities: Helping learners tap into the global educational programs and network with their peers without any hassle.
- Work-study balance: Encouraging work-study balance for professionals or non-regular students who wish to continue their career trajectory while pursuing higher education.
How has Online Teaching and Learning in India Evolved?
According to global statistics, nearly 62.4% of higher education institutions now offer a hybrid model of online and traditional degrees in some capacity. This rapid popularity of online education has especially surged after COVID-19, further gaining advocacy from the University Grants Commission in India in the form of added credibility.
Learners today are technologically advanced and more career-oriented than ever before. They seek specific education standards that fit their pace, goals, and offer up-to-date knowledge. Online MBA programs tick all of these boxes.
While traditional MBA programs remain valuable, their perks are limited to geographical boundaries, especially for learners juggling personal and professional commitments. Online MBA courses promise the convenience of accessibility without compromising on quality education.
Thus, now most learners in India look forward to UGC-accredited online MBA courses.
Traditional or Online MBA: What Should You Choose?
Choosing between a traditional and online MBA program can be one tough nut to crack. However, the choice entirely depends on your personal goals and learning preferences. If the learning methodologies above and the explored benefits of online MBA compel you, then an online MBA is your ideal match.
Chandigarh University's online MBA program can be an excellent program to skyrocket the course of your career! With 23 different specializations to choose from, you can pursue a course focused on dual specialization, strengthening your preferred areas of interest. It comes with an industry-relevant curriculum and teaching methodology, ensuring you get hands-on experience with numerous case studies and projects.
FAQs
1. Is an online MBA worth the same as a regular MBA?
Yes, online MBA programs are worth the same as traditional MBA programs. According to UGC's updated guidelines, online MBA degree programs are treated equally to regular MBA programs, as long as the program is pursued from a reputed UGC-approved institute.
2. What is the student engagement like in online MBA courses?
Most of the online MBA programs engage students through live sessions or group discussions. These programs also engage in collaborative projects and one-to-one mentorship sessions, utilizing tools that mimic real-life classroom experiences, such as breakout rooms, forums, polls, and more.
3. Are online MBA degrees recognized by employers?
Yes, online MBA degrees are recognized by employers, especially when they are UGC-accredited. UGC recognition means that the course meets strict academic and operational standards. This makes your degree valid and respected for employment.
