Integrative considerations and techniques for quantitative distance learning courses in graduate engineering management education

This presentation details work-in-progress for the development of quantitative and IT related graduate courses for distance learning that are taught concurrently with the schedule of our traditional courses. Development and delivery of courses in a format suitable for a distance learning graduate management engineering program presents many unique challenges. All of our graduate courses require a high degree of class participation, student team interaction and presentations. Engineering graduate course materials must be revised frequently to maintain technical relevance. Some faculty have successfully relied on video recorded lectures to keep students on track with a course organized for distance learning. However, current video technology is not able to represent computer screen images that are recorded from overhead projectors or conventional white board drawings with sufficient detail to present quantitative materials in the same format that is suitable for an in-class room presentation. The need to rapidly and efficiently prepare, revise and capture lecture materials for delivery of highly technical and quantitative courses requires special consideration.