TECHNOLOGY AND THE MBA: A NECESSITY IN MODERN MANAGEMENT
Technological advancements are a vital component in modern management education
Richard Burns.
“It’s vital for business schools to embrace new technologies to help students prepare for an increasingly global business world,” says Russ Morgan, professor of marketing and associate dean of The Duke MBA’s daytime program at Fuqua School of Business. “Technology helps connect students with their professors, with one another, and with business leaders with whom they might not otherwise be able to interact.
“In addition, students must learn to become familiar with the various technologies being used by businesses worldwide.”
Like many others, Fuqua can be considered an innovator in its use of technology in MBA delivery. Having recently kitted out a classroom with Cisco TelePresence technology, students at Fuqua’s North Carolina campus are able to communicate with students, professors and business leaders elsewhere around the world with almost as much ease as if they were speaking face-to-face.
“The high-definition video and high- quality audio system provides a realistic communication experience enabling individuals or groups in multiple locations to interact as though they were sitting in the same room,” Morgan explains. “The scheduling logistics that often prevent business leaders from travelling to college campuses to meet with students no longer prevent students from gaining access to the people – and ideas – that are shaping the global economy of the 21st century. Students undertaking residencies in India, China, the Middle East and other regions can share their newly gained insights with their classmates in real time.”
Can Technology Replace Face-to- Face Learning?
Swiss business school IMD has long been working to revolutionize learning. Janet Shaner, director of MBA program design and delivery at IMD explains that rather than replacing face-to-face learning, the school aims to complement it with technology.
“Technology is clearly an important element in education as well as
business. It’s IMD’s objective to use the most current technology to facilitate learning. This does not mean that we replace face-to-face learning, or sometimes even paper. It means that we look for the most effective teaching method for the subject and situation and use technology to enhance or deliver that where appropriate.”
Jim Harnden, CIO at Thunderbird School of Global Management highlights that for many, face-to-face learning at a top business school is simply not possible due to other commitments or restraints.
“I personally believe that there is an incredible value with face-to- face learning. However, if we have students and clients who live all across the globe, who currently have jobs and even families, it is almost impossible to ‘put life on hold’ for a year or two in order to go obtain an MBA, MS, MA or even an online certificate.” “With this said,” says Harnden, “I believe there will be both on-campus and online educational needs for the foreseeable future. Technology
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