Types of Online and Distance Learning MBA in India

Distance learning MBA and online learning MBA cater to a very large section of the population of India. This includes people who cannot attend on-campus classes due to restrictions of time or constraints of money to pay fees. Such people strongly wish to expand their knowledge for boosting their careers. They are either students or working professionals. When they are trying for the same, distance and online learning provides a route to overcome the hurdles of time and money and realise their educational ambitions. Both students and working professionals are attracted towards this open learning path in the Education domain.

In the initial phase of open learning, distance colleges implemented correspondence courses wherein these colleges dispatched study material by post and courier. When email communication became possible, colleges began sending study material by email. These courses are called as distance courses. As the digitisation is continuously increasing, distance courses are being replaced by online courses at a quick pace. While technologies are continuously getting updated, the impact of these advancements is the development of novel types of distance learning MBA and online learning MBA. Some such types that are popular among students in the current era are the following.

Synchronous courses

The word ‘synchronous’ means ‘occurring at the same time.’ These courses require students to participate in live communication while being in classrooms, do teleconferencing and chat online. This type of course is the most suitable and acclaimed for distance learning MBA and online learning MBA. Synchronous courses have a moderate amount of flexibility but are extremely popular in continuing education programs in distance and online learning. The main reason for this high popularity is the maximisation of interaction among students and between students and faculty members.

Asynchronous courses

The word ‘asynchronous’ means ‘not occurring at the same time.’ These courses offer maximum flexibility to study at a speed that suits each individual student. The correspondence among students and between students and faculty members is through online notices and messages. Generally, this communication is done through text only. So, the communication in these courses is somewhat tedious. It is observed that this communication is in the audio and the video mode in a small number of asynchronous courses. Students undergoing these courses have to meet the timelines for submission.

Fixed-time courses

These courses are completely online. Students should log on to the online training website as per the pre-decided schedules. The time slots for virtual classrooms are planned. During these time slots, students can participate in live chats and discussion forums. Overall, students are encouraged to have interactive learning. The learning of such fixed-time courses is categorised to belong to the synchronous format.

Hybrid courses

These are intermediate between the synchronous and the asynchronous formats. Students have to participate during specific time slots in virtual classrooms and Internet chat rooms. However, they can work on their tasks at their own speed and submit these tasks to online forums. Often, training institutions do not have the essential space to fulfil all program implementation needs. In such scenarios, training institutions opt for hybrid courses.

Distance/Online MBA courses type

Out of the above course types, fixed-time courses are the most-common type for distance and online learning MBA. Students study the MBA curriculum in a completely online way. At the specific virtual classroom sign-in times, they log on to their online training website. They should complete the virtual classroom activities (discussion forums and live chats) as per the speed that is expected by the training institution. These courses have a design to promote student interaction. Distance learning MBA and online learning MBA courses are a combination of the completely-online format and the synchronous format.

Recommendation

SimpliDistance advises enthusiastic distance learning MBA and online learning MBA aspirants to obtain full information of the type of course (out of the above types) when they are in the process of selection of a course. This information helps them to understand the time and travel requirements of their course. On our website, we have published information about all courses and their fee structure existing in all colleges and universities in India.

Synchronous Online and Distance Learning MBA:
Synchronous means at the same time. In this context, it is learning that involves live communication through either sitting in a classroom, chatting online or teleconferencing. It is one of the most acclaimed online and distance learning MBA types that are most suitable for engaging in continuing education programs. Synchronous online and distance learning MBA is less flexible, however, the most popular form of online and distance learning and continuing education programs, as it facilitates a greater amount of interaction between students and educators.

Asynchronous Online and Distance Learning MBA
Asynchronous typically means not at the same time. Asynchronous online and distance learning MBA offers learners the flexibility to study in a self-paced manner. While most asynchronous classes still have submission deadlines, students can connect with materials, peers, and instructors on their schedules, often over an extended period.
Learners have more interaction with their peers and deliver correspondence through online notice. This type of learning might get tedious for some because they are usually only receiving the information through text medium, however, some asynchronous classes involve video or audio additions.

Hybrid Online and Distance Learning MBA
As the name suggests, hybrid online and distance learning combines asynchronous and synchronous learning to form a structure. In which the student is expected to meet at a specific time in a classroom or Internet chat room. However, they are allowed to complete the tasks on their own time and may pass them in through an online forum.
Hybrid programs are often offered when training institutions lack adequate space to accommodate all their program course loads.

Fixed time online and distance learning MBA
The most common type of online and distance learning MBA is fixed time courses. As the title states, these courses are strictly online, but students are required to log in to their online training site at a specific time.
They must complete pre-scheduled classroom activities at a specific pace. These activities often include chats and discussion forums. Fixed time online and distance learning MBA encourage student interaction.
Although they are completely online, the format remains synchronous because important live chats are often required.

Conclusion:
These are the various structure of online and distance learning MBA courses. The format depends on the purpose of the online program. It is essential to know which type of online and distance learning MBA course you are taking so you can understand the time and travel requirements that will be expected of you.