Diverse instructional methods distinguish the executive program from traditional on-campus residential programs.
Classes during the executive program's on-campus sessions consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. During the on-campus sessions, students build the support groups of fellow students and the faculty ties that sustain them through the off campus months.
Learning continues off-campus through the use of computer conferencing.
Computer Conferencing
Through the use of computer conferencing, the executive program brings the classroom into the student's home or office. The computer conferencing system is implemented through a partnership with Embanet. Embanet is the leading provider of fully hosted and supported e-Learning solutions to educational Institutions . By using a personal computer and an Internet connection, each student can access course assignments, PowerPoint presentations, and the discussions of classmates and professors throughout the world.
Program staff and faculty help entering students become confident of their ability to communicate using their computers. Novice users often feel more comfortable if they have pursued, prior to the first on-campus session, a seminar or community college course on computer usage. First-year students may also attend computer lab sessions during the on-campus sessions.
Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
Participants will need:
- An IBM-compatible or Macintosh computer with a CD-ROM
- A direct Internet connection through an Internet Service Provider (dial up, DSL, or cable modem)
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for free from adobe.com)
| Windows | Macintosh |
Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, or XP Sound card & speakers Internet Explorerr 6.0+ Netscape 4.77+ |
MacOS 8.1 – 9.1 Sound card & speakers Internet Explorer 4.5+ Netscape 4.77+ |
Participants planning to buy a computer specifically for use in the program should discuss purchasing options with a member of the technical staff. Participants are encouraged to consider a laptop computer, as many students have found it convenient to work at home and at the office (or on the road while traveling).
