Leading management institutes are leveraging the emerging educational technologies to make distance MBA more relevant.

Leading management institutes are leveraging the emerging educational technologies to make distance MBA more relevant. Institutions like Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning, Pune and at IMT-Centre for Distance Learning, Ghaziabad have become the leading torchbearers for the use of technology in distance MBA. Let us understand more how Education Technology is changing Distance MBA in our country.

It is a fact that Education Technology’ role is getting bigger and bigger in the Management Education domain. Whether it is the success of computer based exams like CAT, NMAT or the success of online business simulation, one can see that technology has many things to offer.

Business simulation games are providing MBA students a virtual experience of being a manager and also helping them in enhancing their managerial skills. Similarly, with the coming of the computer based testing technology in the country, the CAT takers are now getting the opportunity to experience a new dimension in test taking. 
 
Another wing of MBA education, in which the impact of education technology is getting visible more and more is Distance MBA. Some of the leading Distance MBA providers in India, such as: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi; Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), Gangtok; IMT CDL, Ghaziabad and Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune are making full use of education technology to make MBA education all inclusive. 
 
There is no doubt that technology is enabling these education providers to spread their wings. The number of students enrolled in the distance MBA programmes of the aforementioned universities and institutions is very high, when compared with global numbers. Take for example, the following figures: There are more than 50,000 students currently enrolled for distance MBA of Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning; At IMT-Centre for Distance Learning 10,000 students enroll every year; At NMIMS-School of Distance Learning 5,000 students enroll for distance MBA every year; At AIMA-Centre for Management Education more than 2,000 students enroll every year.

In the global context the leading distance MBA providers are Open University Business School, UK and the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom. Open University had around 5,000 students enrolled for its online MBA programme in 2010, while EBS had 8,561 students. Both the distance MBA programmes were ranked amongst the top in FT Global Online MBA Listing of 2010. One can see that the numbers are quite high in India compared to global numbers.
 
With numbers high, the tools and devices of Education Technology are getting adopted more and more by these quality conscious management institutes, enabling the smooth delivery of MBA programmes in distance mode. The impact of this has been that now Distance MBA programs are now gaining more significance among students and Management Institutes are more than eager to fulfill the growing needs of students. 

A few of the technologies that are being utilized currently by educational providers are: internet based I-classes, audio/video tapes, Virtual classrooms, Learning Management System (LMS)-a software for delivery & tracking education and many others.

All this is surely improving the quality of distance MBA education. Siliconindia.com talked to the leaders of Distance MBA to know more about the applications of education technology and its impact.

Dr. Rajan Saxena, Vice Chancellor, NMIMS University, Mumbai told Siliconindia.com, “We are moving towards implementing E-learning programmes as also web-enabled learning technologies. Education technology gives students access to PPTs uploaded on websites. We are utilizing audio CDs for all the courses in all the programmes. We are also providing services through Blackboard technology which is being introduced phase wise to all SDL students. Blackboard technology also helps in creating learning communities and discussion groups, which enhances peer interaction which is otherwise not possible in distance learning students.

Ms Swati Mujumdar, Director, Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning (SCDL), Pune, says, “With the help of Education Technology like Virtual Classroom and Online chat, SCDL has achieved great success in bridging the gap of face to face learning and imparting education with quality.” SCDL, Pune is the largest distance MBA provider in the country.

Dr. AM Sherry, Director, IMT Center for Distance Learning (IMT-CDL) told Siliconindia.com, “Using e-Learning platforms we are able to provide 24 x 7 learning. Through the use of technology we are offering our students access to a rich digital library with which they can access top international journals, books, recorded classroom teaching materials and a lot more.” IMT-CDL, set up in 1988, is the oldest distance learning institution in management sector.

Dr. MM Pant, former Pro Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, says, “Today we are living in a technology-driven society. Education Technology enables to impart quality education to large number of people and any form of technology enhances the efficiency or improves education. In 5 years from now, the best educator providers and the best education will come via Web.” 
 
It should be mentioned here that IGNOU is the leader in distance education in India. Since its establishment in 1985, IGNOU has contributed significantly to the development of higher education in the country through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. 

The All India Management Association’s Center for Management Education is another leading Distance MBA provider in India. AIMA has an excellent 22 hours of class room teaching per subject coupled with virtual class room of Live lectures by experts.

Around 2,000 students enroll every year at AIMA for various programs. AIMA-CME makes the best use of education technology by utilizing various tools like audiotapes, videotapes, SINET (Satellite based Interactive Network for Education & Training) in partnership with IGNOU; Internet-based I-Classes, Video-conferencing with Internet Broadband (Q-band) which has enabled two-way video and audio transmission with online discussions.
 
Dr. Raj Agrawal, Director-CME, AIMA (Distance Learning) expressed his views saying, “E-learning has been identified as a strategic resource that can be utilized in an increasing diversity of venue varying from home to workplace as well as traditional institutions. It offers learners the ability to learn anywhere, anytime and at their own pace.”