EMBAs and technology

The use of web and internet technologies is a given in today’s business world. In fact, it would be almost impossible to imagine our world without them. What’s more, the technology we have come to accept as part of our everyday existence is developing at an exponential rate. It should therefore come as no surprise that the use of technology is as prevalent in the business school classroom as it is in our personal and professional lives.

The technology element

Most Executive MBA programs have recognized the importance candidates place on technology to do business, develop professionally, and expand networks worldwide, and have adapted their curriculum accordingly. Not only are they providing an educational environment with increasing technological sophistication, they are also incorporating technology modules and courses into the degree.

EMBA programs that wish to offer their students maximum flexibility often invest considerable resources in being able to make materials available electronically, incorporate social media platforms and offer video conferencing facilities among other multi-media provisions. As the EMBA Council reports in a 2012 study, EMBA programs today are delivering nearly one third (28.9%) of their materials electronically, an increase of over 16% in just two years.

Being able to offer candidates a sophisticated technological experience as part of their Executive MBA studies, certainly gives business schools a competitive advantage. The London Business School, for example, offers highly innovative and comprehensive technology support to their students, which includes lecture theatres equipped with cutting edge multi-media technology, digital video technology, state of the art desktop computers, online course rooms via a secure network web gateway and a streaming media library.

Similarly, the Cornell – Queen’s Executive MBA prides itself in making state-of-the-art technology a central feature of their program and has gained extensive experience using interactive video conferencing to allow their students to connect from various locations, both national and international. Video conferencing technologies enable a close and consistent contact between professors and students and provide the possibility to deliver entire classes, discussion and/or presentations online.