Online Instructional Technologies Play Major Role in Web-Centric Executive Master of Organization Development (EMOD) Program

What is the EMOD program and how has it changed over the past year?
One of the oldest programs of its kind in the world, the Executive Masters of Organziation Development (EMOD) program focuses on change leadership to achieve individual and organizational effectiveness.  The EMOD program allows professionals to earn a master's degree in 18 months while continuing to work full time with limited interruptions to work and family responsibilities.

Over the past year, EMOD has gone through format and curriculum changes to better fit our highly engaged, very active, executives who demand a quality program be both accessible and flexible.  The format changes are a move to a "web-centric" curriculum.

What is a web-centric EMOD program and why did you choose that format for your program?
The term web-centric describes a format of instruction in which 50% or more of the content is taught at a distance. The EMOD program uses a web centric approach in that students only meet on campus 3 weekends a semester and use the rest of the semester to engage the course materials, instructor, and their classmates online using distance technologies such as blackboard, gmail, gtalk, google docs, and more.  We chose this format for several reasons.  First, it reflects the way business is moving.  The web-centric format enables a flexible, accessible, and engaging online environment, which then allows us to increase the effectiveness of our face-to-face time at BGSU.  Second, it is what people in today's day and age expect. Prospective students were and continue to inquire about online instruction.  Third, the move also allows us to reach a wider geographic area.  A flexible program format allows for a more diverse student population as our current MOD cohort proves...we have students from all over the state of Ohio, as well as Michigan, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas. 

In what ways do distance technologies improve the program? (for the students, for the faculty, for BGSU)
We realize in today's world people want information at their fingertips.  Distance technologies allow students to access material anytime, anyplace.  If they travel or relocate, they can continue their involvement.  Distance technologies also allow us to create a stronger sense of community for non-traditional students, especially those who are non-frequent visitors to campus.  The community and network that the Internet facilitates is immensely advantageous to our program. Technology facilitates us getting insight into our students' needs.  Furthermore, distance technologies give us the ability to establish ourselves as a point of expertise in the field nationally and facilitate continuous learning (access to information after graduation, etc.). 

For the faculty, distance technologies give them the opportunity to interact with students prior to the classroom experience.  In addition, online technologies provide some pedagogical advantages. For example, by setting up a discussion forum for "Questions to the Instructor" we can streamline student questions and provide answers more effectively and efficiently.  Another example along those same lines is that an online threaded discussion enables everyone to have an equal voice, not just the extroverts, thus spurring on the sharing of information and ideas.  By using online technologies to engage our students (e.g., videos, presentations, audio files, discussions, assignments, papers, projects, collaboration), faculty can then customize and optimize the classroom learning experience.  Finally, the web-centric format more easily enables the ability to bring reality into the virtual classroom (e.g., clients, presenters, and other guest speakers, etc.). 

For BGSU, we are integrating new media and emerging technologies. Education is becoming more and more non-traditional.  Distance learning mirrors the way in which our society learns and gathers information. 

Why did you choose to work with IDEAL on this project and what has been your experience working them?
We chose to work with IDEAL because they are the distance technology leaders and experts at the university.  Our experience has been fantastic as the IDEAL staff is dedicated to the service they provide the university.  The staff is very professional, creative, and passionate about education. In addition, IDEAL has been extraordinarily accessible and flexible. 

How has IDEAL assisted EMOD with the planning, design, and implementation of the web-centric program?
We met with IDEAL to talk about our ideas for a more flexible and accessible program and IDEAL helped us explore the possibilities.  IDEAL was very responsive to what we were trying to achieve for the program and from there, EMOD and IDEAL came together as a team to develop the program.  IDEAL understands that the process guides the technology and not the other way around. They are exceptional at listening to what we are trying to accomplish and then identifying and presenting potential solutions enabling us to analyze the pros and cons and make more informed decisions. They are as vested in making this initiative as successful as we are. With any successful team, we had to identify our roles and capitalize on each others strengths.  Our faculty and staff are experts in their respective fields. The IDEAL staff are experts in their field of web-based and web-centric course development and delivery. Together, we pack a pretty strong punch. We have been able to consult IDEAL regarding: web-centric pedagogy, online training, technology tools, media creation, instructional design, courseware development, community development, technical support, and more. Recently, IDEAL has helped us set up an Organizational Development blog which we just launched. The blog is our way of sharing information with the global community. We have a great team and look forward to working with IDEAL in the future.

What advice do you have for Faculty, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs that are curious about designing a new program or adapting a current program to a web-centric or totally online format?
For anyone interested in learning about ways to incorporate distance technologies into programs and/or classrooms, you should take part in the Online Faculty Training Program that IDEAL offers several times a semester.  Since you participate in the training program as an online student for 3 weeks, you truly experience empathy for the students, understanding of the pedagogy, and exposure to the technology.  To successfully incorporate distance technologies, you will need to start the process with an open mind and remain proactive throughout the process.  You should go into it with a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve along with clear knowledge of your market (who they are, what kind of education do they want).  We recommend partnering with IDEAL and benefiting from others' experiences.

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