Is Online MBA As Good As Traditional MBA?

Do you think online MBA programmes are second-rate? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. As more and more established business schools have started to offer online MBA programmes, the quality of online learning has enormously improved.

Growing Demand for MBA

MBA has become a very valuable qualification these days as it is in high demand from both students and employers. Even in this intense job market, MBA graduates are successfully landing great jobs in big corporations. According to recent data from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) released in January 2013, around 92 per cent of 2012 MBA graduates across the globe were employed within 3 months after their graduation. Moreover another GMAC revealed that 76 per cent of employers worldwide planned to recruit fresh MBA graduates in the year 2013; and the number is expected to go up even more this year.

So in this scenario, having a business degree can certainly be beneficial for you. But should you go for a traditional MBA programme and empty your saving account or go for an online programme? But can an online programme offer you quality education and excellent opportunities? Let’s find out.....

Is Online MBA Inferior?

It is true that earlier many students, education experts and even employers used to consider online management diploma and degree courses to be second rate as most top ranking B-schools remained detached from the market. However all that has changed now with the recent boom of online MBA. With rapid technological developments student experience has enhanced to a great extent.

In a recent post in The Telegraph, Professor G. Anandalingam, Dean of Imperial College Business School, writes “As with almost anything based around technology, it’s a process of continuous improvement: the way universities and students use technology is always evolving, making now a very exciting time to be working and studying in this area.”

A Raging Debate

But there seems to be a debate regarding the usage of technology in higher education. Clayton Christensen, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, argues that eventually technology will revolutionise the entire education system and in future all learning will happen online. However, Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School believes that online learning will not be able to replace classroom learning, but it will enhance it.

No matter which side of the debate you are on, you simply cannot deny that technology is significantly influencing online business diploma courses in a positive way as numerous students worldwide are now opting for online business education. Technology has effectively closed the gap regarding quality of the course and student experience between on-campus and online MBA.

However you need to ask a few questions before pursuing an online MBA programme. Professor Anandalingam writes “Students considering the merits of an online MBA vis-à-vis an in-class course should bear a few things in mind. Is there a good career service for online students? What opportunities are there to meet each other and network throughout the programme? Is there similar support for networking after the course and, crucially, is the syllabus delivered through rich, multimedia content?”

Is Online MBA a Good Option?

Although online courses initially offered only boring video lectures recordings, but now courses from leading institutions like Harvard and MIT’s EdX and Stanford’s Coursera are offering engaging lessons through interactive audios and videos as well as group assignments.

But after all that has been said, can technology and Online Management diploma programmes help you? Of course it can. If you want a recognised business qualification without being burdened with student debts, then online courses are your best option. Moreover, online MBA courses offers you the opportunity to pursue a degree and without giving up your full time job.

“For a significant and growing segment of the student population – working professionals that can’t afford to quit their jobs and come into campus for a long period – online learning has been a revelation. This is also true for students who are located in different countries but who want to receive a UK education due it its world-class reputation,” writes Prof. Anandalingam.

But will you have adequate networking opportunities in online business diploma courses? Its true networking is an important part of business education. As there is a lack of classroom interaction, you will need to take an innovative approach by using social media like LinkedIn and Facebook to expand your network and connect with other students. This helps to promote lifelong education by enabling b-schools to become a dynamic part of these online communities.

Prof. Anandalingam further adds “We, and others, work hard to ensure that online alumni are added to the career service office and we even arrange networking events throughout the world.”

Do you think online business education has improved significantly in the recent years or is it still second-rate? Would you like to go for an online MBA? Share your views, opinions and concerns and freely add to the discussion.

Learning and Reading- What Does Our Future Generation Want?

Can technological advancement replace traditional practices? Before you go on to answer the question, let me give you 2 examples, music and telephones. Initially music was played live, but technology allowed recording and reproducing music, which eventually resulted in replacing the gramophones and cassettes with iPods and mp3 players. Similarly the land-line phones were first replaced by portable phones which were in turn replaced by mobile phones. So is it possible with further technological advancements our traditional educational system will be replaced by online learning? Will tomorrow’s students end up reading only from e-books? Can digital books replace paper books?

The Traditional Vs. Digital Debate

Most of us are aware that there has been plenty of discussion and debate regarding online learning and classroom education. Some claim eLearning is the future while others conclude that digital learning can never replace face-to-face instruction. Similarly there is adequate discussion on whether eBooks can replace paper books. Many people claim that digital books are easy and more convenient; while others believe that eBooks can never offer the satisfaction of reading traditional paper books.

Digital Reading or Paper Reading?

The truth is that pixels are fast taking over paper with most readers now opting to read books on Kindle or other e-readers. The reading habits of today’s readers have changed a lot as they do not care about the smell of new paper or the feel of printed ink on the page; neither does progressing to the 100th page and marking their advancement with a bookmark have any significance. For them convenience, accessibility and affordability is everything.

Moreover many brick-and-mortar bookshops across the globe have shutdown as the traditional method of selling books has shattered as a result of heavy discounts from different e-commerce websites. The fact is the gradually increasing sales and download of digital books is slowing digging the grave of printed paper books, even though many would disagree.

The Online Learning Revolution

Similarly, online learning has also gained immense popularity among students across the globe in the past few years. Although traditional classroom learning is still dominating the education sector, but it cannot be denied that with rising college tuition many students are going online to earn an accredited and affordable degree.

Today’s learners do not want to spend a lot of time in the classroom and follow strict schedules which prevents them from pursuing other interests. It has been observed that growing number of high school graduates are now skipping college in order to avoid crippling student debts and pursuing online educational programmes. These online courses offer the learners the opportunity to pursue higher education and gain work experience at the same time. As the students do not need to adhere to any fixed schedules, then can work full time jobs and attend online lectures at night from their homes. As the content can be easily accessed online 24/7, learners can study as per their convenience.

However, to say that online learning will replace traditional education will be stretching it a bit too far. Studies show that even with growing tuition fees, a college degree is still worth it.

What Is The Solution?

Due to the growing demand of online education, many reputed colleges and universities have taken the “Blended Learning” approach where students can learn both online and on-campus.

As the interests and preferences of today’s students are constantly changing, it only makes sense for universities to offer programmes which provide the best of both digital learning and campus life. But it still remains to be seen whether online learning will replace traditional learning or if eBooks will replace paper books.