A shorter time to complete would also contribute positively to flexibility by reducing the overall time during which MBA studies might potentially conflict with work or personal schedules. Supporting previous research findings, this study demonstrates that for this sample of North American mid-career students, flexibility was a significant criterion for choosing an online over a traditional program, even more so for older respondents and women. The students in this sample completed both short three-week residencies and online courses running for twelve-week sessions. The findings suggest that a balanced approach to course design offering opportunities for real time interaction, either online or during residencies, along with asynchronous communication would be most attractive to the mid-career student segment, particularly older, more experienced students.
To what extent is the online learning environment a factor in program choice?
As reported in previous research (McEwen, 2001; Moskal & Dziuban, 2001; Ryan, 2001; Smith, 2001), flexibility is frequently among the main reasons for choosing online programs. For the current sample, flexibility was expressed as fit with personal and work schedules, both in terms of communication modalities and the duration of the program. Flexibility for a mid-career student is likely a function of more than a simple choice of when to log onto the course site and post a comment.
A shorter time to complete would also contribute positively to flexibility by reducing the overall time during which MBA studies might potentially conflict with work or personal schedules. Supporting previous research findings, this study demonstrates that for this sample of North American mid-career students, flexibility was a significant criterion for choosing an online over a traditional program, even more so for older respondents and women. The students in this sample completed both short three-week residencies and online courses running for twelve-week sessions. The findings suggest that a balanced approach to course design offering opportunities for real time interaction, either online or during residencies, along with asynchronous communication would be most attractive to the mid-career student segment, particularly older, more experienced students.
A shorter time to complete would also contribute positively to flexibility by reducing the overall time during which MBA studies might potentially conflict with work or personal schedules. Supporting previous research findings, this study demonstrates that for this sample of North American mid-career students, flexibility was a significant criterion for choosing an online over a traditional program, even more so for older respondents and women. The students in this sample completed both short three-week residencies and online courses running for twelve-week sessions. The findings suggest that a balanced approach to course design offering opportunities for real time interaction, either online or during residencies, along with asynchronous communication would be most attractive to the mid-career student segment, particularly older, more experienced students.
