1. The Benefits and Drawbacks of Distance Learning Courses in Traditional MBA Programs - Mark Sena - Xavier University - sena@xavier.edu

2. Background: About XUs MBA MBA program ranked in top 25 nationally! MBA program ranked in top 25 nationally! Predominantly part-time, working professionals Predominantly part-time, working professionals Very large program: 800+ students Very large program: 800+ students Largest in Ohio Largest in Ohio Began offering distance learning courses appx. 5 years ago Began offering distance learning courses appx. 5 years ago Initiated by offering summer grants to faculty to develop online offering of existing courses Initiated by offering summer grants to faculty to develop online offering of existing courses

3. Success of Distance Learning at XU Assessment of online courses reveals overall success Assessment of online courses reveals overall success Student demand very strong Student demand very strong Online courses among first to fill during registration Online courses among first to fill during registration Instructor evaluations strong in INFO dept. Instructor evaluations strong in INFO dept. Most students and instructors seem to enjoy the experience Most students and instructors seem to enjoy the experience Most courses include interactive (online meetings) components. Most courses include interactive (online meetings) components.

4. Problems Encountered in Distance Learning at XU Little or no administrative oversight of distance learning Little or no administrative oversight of distance learning Lack of technical assistance from university IT dept Lack of technical assistance from university IT dept Blackboard issues!!!! Blackboard issues!!!! Poor online meeting functionality Poor online meeting functionality Lack of support for voice, video, etc., Lack of support for voice, video, etc., Unstable server environment: online meetings and exams, in particular Unstable server environment: online meetings and exams, in particular Difficulty with pop-up blockers, firewalls, java. Difficulty with pop-up blockers, firewalls, java.

5. Sample Features of my Online Course Prior to class, student reads extended FAQ web page outlining technical, administrative issues Prior to class, student reads extended FAQ web page outlining technical, administrative issues http://staff.xu.edu/~sena/FAQ.htm http://staff.xu.edu/~sena/FAQ.htm http://staff.xu.edu/~sena/FAQ.htm Students have weekly online meeting lasting 1.5 hours Students have weekly online meeting lasting 1.5 hours Discussion Forums required Discussion Forums required Online Exam Online Exam Research paper, assignments Research paper, assignments

10. Future of Distance Learning at XU Extend to undergraduate courses? Extend to undergraduate courses? Enhance functionality: voice, video, pod- casting? Enhance functionality: voice, video, pod- casting? Executive eduction? Executive eduction? Other ideas? Other ideas?

11. Impact on CJBE Potential to share ideas, trends in distance learning Potential to share ideas, trends in distance learning Share resources: distance learning networks, software, tools Share resources: distance learning networks, software, tools Cross list courses Cross list courses Jointly examine impact on Jesuit principles Jointly examine impact on Jesuit principles To what extent are we able to uphold effectiveness of teaching Jesuit ideals in online evironment? To what extent are we able to uphold effectiveness of teaching Jesuit ideals in online evironment?