Hello,
I am not going to terms Distance Learning good or bad per se`!
A blanket pronouncement in such matters is not necessarily.
Let us look at it this way.
Management education is not something you acquire merely from the books/reading material), not throught "teacher-taught" relationship. It is more of "learning" than being "taught".
If distance learning co-exists with a strong, supportive, work environment, where good competent, experienced professionals help you build bridges between theory and practice, I believe your learning can be faster, better, deeper and more value additive than otherwise, since even after a regular MBA, to learn reality you will (and in fact do) need a similar work and professional environment. Learning hands on, simultaneously with internalizing the conceptual inputs can be very enriching BUT that will depend largely on the individual-his/her commitment, effort, enthusiasm and willingness to walk that extra mile! If that does not happen anyone will fail.
The long and the short of the issue is the individual's capacity to internalize concepts, knowledge and techniques.
Regular MBA is a logical choics for those who are yet to complete formal academic education but to expect an individual to leave employment for a full time MBA may not be wise, right or even economical! The development of faculties of a grown up is different than that of a youngster. He perhaps can comprehend reality in more of its dimensions than inexperienced yougsters. Distance Learning could help him if he handles the flow of inputs capably!
A final word for the time being! You will come across rank inadequate regular MBA programmes and some excellent Distance learning programmes. Evidently the converse is also true. Therefore I would avoid lables per se`. We should examin the proposition, on facts, promise and if possible on performance before forming a view!
Open for responses!!!
Regards
samvedan
June 4, 2011
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