MAB students earn a fully accredited master’s degree
through distance education. Course work is done through
the Internet, CD-ROM and chatrooms. Students also visit
the K-State campus two weeks a year. The time on campus
allows students to meet classmates and faculty, receive
training on the technology, interact with industry leaders,
and give group project presentations.
Most
students find that the MAB program provides a learning
environment superior to anything they have experienced
before. Distance Learning is often incorrectly equated
to correspondence coursework. The Master of Agribusiness
was designed to take advantage of the latest technology
and a combination of learning styles - audio, visual
and text based. The program offers flexibility within a support and structured service environment and students benefit from the ability to fit the program around their schedules.
Course lectures are delivered via a customized CD-ROM provided for each course. Lecture material may also be accessed via the Internet or downloaded to an iPod/MP3 player at any time. A textbook and a binder of notes accompany each course so students may follow along with the lecture. Most use PowerPoint presentations with voice overs.
Another component of the course is the weekly recitation. Class members decide on an evening, morning, or weekend time to meet in the course multi-audio, interactive chatroom. The chatrooms allow students to interact with each other and the instructor to gain further understanding of course material. Occasionally, students are not able to attend all of the chatroom sessions during a course, much like a campus-based class. Unlike a campus-based course, each chatroom is recorded and archived so that students may review what was discussed during the recitation.
Each course includes homework assignments and exams. Many courses include group project work, individual presentations, research papers, and case study work. Unlike a campus-based course, a special trip to campus is not required to meet with group members or turn in assignments. All homework is accomplished through e-mail and chatrooms.
Most
students find that the MAB program provides a learning
environment superior to anything they have experienced
before. Distance Learning is often incorrectly equated
to correspondence coursework. The Master of Agribusiness
was designed to take advantage of the latest technology
and a combination of learning styles - audio, visual
and text based. The program offers flexibility within a support and structured service environment and students benefit from the ability to fit the program around their schedules.
