As online degrees attract students, UFred stays on top of its students’ needs.
Online learning has become commonplace in the last two years, largely due to the need to reduce contact and protect teachers and students from Covid-19. But digital classrooms aren’t new, and if you think virtual learning means passively staring at a screen while sitting on your couch… well, you’re in for a surprise.
“In a traditional classroom setting, there might be 50 people in an MBA-level class in an auditorium-style theater, some of them sitting in the back in the dark. You may not even know his name,” says Dr. James Bowen, who teaches MBA students and executive MBAs at the University of Fredericton’s Sandermoen School of Business about technology, innovation, global strategy and other forward-thinking topics. future.
“But in an online course, not only can I interact with students one-on-one in a live session, I know their names. We are connected on LinkedIn. In a large classroom setting, some students may not feel comfortable contributing. Online, we usually have our cameras off and students don’t feel self-conscious. They participate more and there is much more knowledge sharing and collaboration,” says Dr. Bowen.
That said, not all online programs are created equal. While many universities had to move from face-to-face classroom learning to online learning in 2020, the University of Fredericton was conceived as virtual from the start and has thrived as a fully online institution since it was established in 2005.
According to Dr. Bowen, therein lies the difference.
“Traditional programs are largely paper-based,” he says. “The exams are on paper, the books are on paper. The traditional approach to college is very time and place oriented – you need to be in this place right now,” he says. Rather, the inherent flexibility of online learning makes it more suitable for many people, especially those with an MBA level, who need to balance education with their careers.
“Students can personalize online learning around their lives,” he says. “Most of our students already have jobs and are looking for knowledge. They are looking for the advantages that come from a greater understanding of the world. And because of this, they come into the program with an intrinsic motivation to go beyond readings, tests, and homework and actually engage in conversations. Our students are curious. They are motivated to really learn.”
On an individual level, the accessibility of online learning removes barriers that might otherwise prevent students from participating in classes or fully enrolling. But according to Dr. Bowen, the real magic is that by enabling broader participation, the University of Fredericton creates a powerful environment for diverse perspectives and opinions to be shared, expanding learning opportunities.
“Because of the variety of student backgrounds, there is a lot of cross-pollination in our classes,” says Dr. Bowen. “Students in our program quickly learn that the challenges they face in their careers are similar. For example, they are all trying to address climate change and sustainability in their fields. On the student side, it gives them a network that goes beyond their learning. There is an alumnus of people who cross many industries.”
And for Dr. Bowen, maintaining connections with past students — an endeavor made easier because they’re already connected online — pays dividends for the next generation of University of Fredericton MBA students.
“My network of former students helps me develop my knowledge,” he says. “I have created my own flow of information about what is happening in different industries and professions. When I see what issues are emerging in my former students’ careers, it makes me think about how to address them in the course environment. It keeps me updated.”
For more information visit ufred.ca/mba.