Lessons Learned:

Teaching an Online Graduate Level Course in Business Operations at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Professor Cindy Stevens, Jack Blaisdell

Polytechnic Summit 2013

Lessons Learned:

Master of Science in Construction Management

Operations Management- MGMT820▪ Hybrid Course▪ Only on-line offering in the program

Three Cohorts taught to date

Lessons Learned:

Course Components Homework Tests Weekly Discussions Book Review Final Team Project

Lessons Learned:

Observations Each Cohort seemed to have its’ own

personality Many years of work experience No work experience Most students don’t seem to see

themselves as on a management track

Lessons Learned:

Discussions, Tips, Comportment

Discussion instructions asked that responses be from the point of view of they as managers

Discussions began- “Management needs to….” or “I don’t

understand why management doesn’t……..”

Tips and tricks section for extra credit- some cohorts did not use or did not help one another

Overt rejection of the on-line learning concept versus in class experience

Lessons Learned:

Comportment and Communications

Unprofessional conduct, attitudes, and communication▪ Discussions aren’t tweets

Unexpected amount of complaints regarding difficulty of course

Lack of respect and self discipline in completing assignments

Lack of maturity Possible cheating

Lessons Learned:

Learning Style Most students from an experiential

learning background Industry is primarily visual and tactile We are asking that they work on more

abstract ideas If they see it they can deal with it, if they

touch it they can duplicate or improve on it.

Lessons Learned:

Learning Style

The closer a discussion problem approached a physical or visual issue, the better students performed

The more abstract and virtual the problem became, the more difficulty they had identifying and addressing the core issue and offering appropriate solutions

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking?

One cannot assume that students, young or old, understand the different and additional demands of on-line learning. Far more energy is wasted by instructors dealing with student on-line “drama” than they would in a classroom environment.

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking?

Instructors and program administrators need to understand the potential pitfalls and employ actions at the outset to set a level of expectation and context to fully realize on the promise of virtual learning.

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking? Minimum amount of field/work experience is a must Need to understand that in a virtual course they must take

the initiative Create a tutorial for successful on-line learning▪ Communications etiquette▪ Preferred and appropriate communications▪ Sample discussion responses

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking? Improve discussions ▪ More synchronous▪ Become more collaborative and find opportunities to

“teach” each other based on relevant experiences▪ Practice the opportunity to communicate professionally▪ Encourage the option to disagree respectfully with a

point of view

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking?

Fill in the blanks▪ The course doesn’t cover every aspect of

operations or issues to encountered as a manager▪ Ask the industry expert-required each week

from at least one student

Lessons Learned:

What is required to increase the chance of student success and elevate thinking?

Team up▪ Construction is a team game, use each others

strengths. ▪ Be a leader -help those not getting it▪ Manage time and resources better for final

project▪ Look for and practice opportunities to add value

Lessons Learned:

Summary Operations management is at the heart of

running a successful business. As on-line Master degree aspirants, students must be prepared experientially, have appropriate quantitative and communications skills, be mature, self-starting, and willing to work with others.

The institute and instructors must provide the environment to help students understand the context of management and hold students responsible for the rigor they will encounter in industry.