Online Training, 2006,
Cardean Learning Group.
Review by Donna Walsh
Rating:
In a hurry?
Recommendation
Untitled Document
It seems safe to say that in the year 2006, access to the Internet at home, at work, or even at the local library is a given for most of us. This “window to the world” continues to become more available, more accessible, more affordable—and faster.
When the Internet was less mature, online learning was regarded as a gimmick, a poor substitute for the “real deal” that could only be had through traditional classroom learning. This is no longer the case. Undergraduate as well as advanced degrees earned online are no longer regarded with suspicion. This nontraditional mode of learning continues to move into the mainstream. It has afforded many people, particularly those with demanding jobs and busy lives, the opportunity to continue their education and acquire knowledge and skills to enhance their career opportunities.
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| "I hope that every instructor I encounter as I continue my online learning experience is as effective and at ease in a virtual classroom as Sandra was." |
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The unique, desirable, and valuable thing about online learning is that the student can learn and earn a degree from an accredited school without ever stepping into a brick-and-mortar classroom. But the learning doesn't come easily. In many ways online learning requires more discipline and commitment than traditional learning opportunities.
Cardean 2.0
Cardean University was one of the earlier online degree providers and has a distinguished academic foundation. Its programs have been developed in collaboration with four renowned traditional institutions: Stanford, Columbia, the University of Chicago, and the London School of Economics. That doesn't mean Cardean students receive a degree from one of these schools or that their faculty teach the online courses. It does mean, though, that Cardean offers its students the benefit of a curriculum that has been developed at four of the best universities in the world.
Cardean is a pure online university, meaning it has both undergraduate and graduate degree programs but does not offer traditional classroom instruction in addition to online courses. After going through a series of changes the last few years, Cardean was recently re-launched.
In addition to their MBA program, Cardean University offers several graduate certificate programs. These programs are designed for professionals who want to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in various fields of study. Many of the same courses available to Cardean MBA students are offered in the Certificate Programs. The credits earned for a certificate can count toward a completion of their MBA program.
Cardean MBA: Managerial Marketing
The class I reviewed is Managerial Marketing, a first-year MBA course. It is offered in six or nine weeks; about half of Cardean’s students choose the longer version. All MBA candidates start with Marketing, and the nine-week version gives them an opportunity to become familiar with online study. All other MBA courses are six weeks. New courses begin every three weeks as opposed to once a semester.
At the time of this review, Cardean University was testing a mandatory College Success course in their undergrad program, consisting of a three-week introduction to online study and how to be a successful online student. It was receiving great reviews. Although some students might be put off by being required to take a noncredit course, this introductory course could be extremely helpful to students who are unprepared for the realities of online study. It can help a student be more successful (and improve retention rates for providers).
Managerial Marketing focuses on analyzing the marketing environment, including customers and competition, and aligning marketing efforts with the strategic goals of a company. Students learn to determine which customers should be targeted in the marketing effort, choose which products the company should offer, ascertain the method and timing for informing customers about the product, and determine the best pricing strategy and the most effective way to bring the product to market.
Course Requirements
There is no prerequisite for Managerial Marketing. Course requirements include participation in online discussions. Each student is expected to share his or her insights, experiences, and opinions. In addition, reading assignments include a textbook, a coursebook consisting of Harvard Business Review articles, and a multitude of Internet links and graphics.
Students must complete a total of eight written assignments. Each assignment has a specific due date. Six of the assignments are completed on an individual basis and two as a team. Each written assignment consists of a scenario in which the student is the marketing person in an organization who receives memos, reports, and other information regarding a detailed case study. The assignment not only requires the student to respond to numerous questions but also to take a position on an issue that does not have one correct answer.
It is up to the student to support her point of view persuasively with data and information obtained from the links in the virtual classroom as well as readings from the textbook.
Team assignments are an opportunity to work with classmates. The lack of face-to-face contact somewhat diminished our ability to interact and connect fully, but it was still a worthwhile experience.
Learning Environment
The learning environment is a secure virtual classroom that students access with a user ID and password. One area of the classroom is a forum where each student is expected to post an introduction as well as participate in ongoing discussions initiated by the instructor. Students are especially encouraged to share their experiences from the workplace.
These discussions are useful and valuable to the learning experience. Students can also communicate privately with the instructor. In addition to the venues for discussions and submitting assignments, there is also a virtual café for informal social conversation.
The reference links provided in the virtual classroom were a source of frustration for me. Each “parent” link contained copious “child” links –and within each link, there was yet another link that needed to be read. It would have been more efficient, less time consuming, and less frustrating for all the information to be presented in a linear fashion within the parent link. This design seems to be the norm for online learning, as I experienced the same frustration with another online course completed at a different university.
Instructors
Cardean courses are taught either by full-time faculty or part-time adjunct faculty, consisting of working professionals who have experience directly related to the course material or university faculty with Ph.D.s. Cardean faculty are required to hold a Ph.D. or Masters degree in their subject area, and the majority of instructors have significant work experience related to their respective course.
My instructor, Sandra, was excellent. She demonstrated her commitment to learning before our class began. I was returning from a business trip the day our class began. I received an email from Sandra gently reminding me to post an introduction on our class forum. I appreciated her attentiveness and genuine concern.
In addition, she was a terrific facilitator. She initiated discussions that closely resembled those in a traditional classroom. She participated but did not monopolize our discussions.
Each writing assignment was returned with detailed written feedback, which was crucial to my learning experience. The coursework was challenging, and the assignments were sometimes overwhelming. Sandra provided feedback that helped me to approach the next assignment with more confidence and ease.
I hope that every instructor I encounter as I continue my online learning experience is as effective and at ease in a virtual classroom as Sandra was.
Students
Although the class enrollment was small, my classmates were professionals who wanted to expand their knowledge of marketing in order to develop new skills and knowledge for their respective jobs. Our entire class fully participated in the online discussions and team projects, but more students would have made for a richer experience, I think.
Administration and Technical Support
As soon as I completed course registration, Jennifer, my Cardean Student Life Program coordinator, emailed an invitation to attend a student orientation session. The email was informative and helpful and so was the orientation. An Admissions Representative, Jonathan, also emailed to confirm that I was set to go with the course and invited me to contact him if I had any difficulties. When I was unable to log-in to the virtual classroom, Jonathan quickly responded, resolving the glitch. He even followed up with a phone call.
Value for the money
A Cardean graduate course costs $1,995, or $665 per credit hour, along with an $85 processing fee. I spent about $200 for a used textbook, workbook, and two job aids—and zero for parking, tolls, and gas for the commute. Online education itself doesn't cost less than traditional classroom programs, and I felt the value matched the price. But online students can save money on "overhead" such as commuting, meals, time away from a job, and other similar costs.
Recommendation
The Cardean course excelled in a number of important areas and was very good in others. The new Cardean promises a quality education—as long as you are up to the task. Anyone still under the impression that online learning is an easy alternative to traditional MBA programs is in for a rude awakening. The coursework is difficult and intense. Deliverables are expected to be well written, concise, and submitted on time. At the same time, you will receive more feedback from the professor than you may have ever experienced in a classroom. Professionals accustomed to doing what is required to achieve personal goals will do well earning credits online.
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