MBA distance learning ranked 1st nationally
By GEOFF BRODIE
News Writer
With only five years under its belt, the Executive MBA distance-learning program at Notre Dame could still be considered in its growing stages. But since its start in 1995, growing doesn't seem to be an issue for the program.
The never-ending improvements made in technology and high speed communication has left the program with state-of-the-art equipment to go along with its top national ranking.
The program was ranked the best in the nation by the U.S. Distance Learning Association that now presents a very tough question to the University: How does one make the best even better?
Based upon a high-tech video conferencing system, the EMBA distance learning program links classrooms on campus to specially equipped rooms at four sites off campus. Executives in or near Chicago, Indianapolis, and Toledo are able to earn an MBA from Notre Dame without leaving their jobs and families. The classrooms have high-speed T-1 communication lines connected to tracking cameras, video monitors, wireless microphones and other equipment. This allows for real time interaction between off-campus students and faculty and students on campus.
Newly added by Bill Brewster, the college's director of technology, is a multi-point conferencing unit. Through advanced T-1 routing techniques, the unit is able to connect more than two sites together in a single video conference as well as show all classrooms from any site, on or off campus.
The main drawback to the program, however, seems to be in the name itself. The "distance" between professor and student leaves little room for personal attention and relationships to form.
"No matter how much one talks about having an integrated classroom, distance learning lacks the personal touch," said associate dean Edward Trubac.
Trubac plans to lessen the effect of this problem by visiting the off-campus classrooms as many times as possible during a semester. Students at these off-campus locations seem to welcome the visits as it closes distance gaps through interaction with administrators from the host university.
"Ed's visit showed a real concern by the University for off-campus students," said student Larry Mitzman. "There are a lot of tangible and intangible benefits that can be gained by doing this two to three times a year."
All News Stories for Friday, March 2, 2001
