Michelle Hunter on the Intensive Season

From the Desk of Michelle Hunter on the Intensive Season

Since last March, the Covid19 pandemic launched most educational institutions into online learning.

The Centre for Executive and Graduate Education has been delivering online/blended education for over 20 years.  While we were experienced in online learning, Covid19 impacted our Intensives.  What would normally be a face-to-face Intensive session for the MBA Financial Services, MBA Leadership, the MIM and MPA(M) programs, transitioned to an on-line classroom format.  At the end of each course, a 2–5-day intensive session would be held in person in Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.  Since April 2020, all our intensive sessions have been delivered online using, Zoom, MS Teams and Collaborate Ultra.

In total, the CEGE programs will support 26 intensive sessions over a period of 3-4 weeks; each session may be delivered a little different; classroom studio style, Zoom, MS teams, and Collaborate Ultra. There will be online lectures, group work, presentations, live case studies, simulations, numerous guest speakers and of course networking and relationship bonding still occurring.

I was able to visit a few of the classes to say hello and wish them well.  The reports that we are receiving from the students and the instructors demonstrate the dedication and commitment of the participants.

“The energy that the students brought to the discussions energized me throughout the three intensive sessions” Dr. Teresa Cyrus

Thank you to Heidi and the TA’s, I really felt supported throughout the term.”  “I was able to apply the learning into the work immediately.”    Students in Leading in Complexity

Thank you for curating great content, pushing me to think differently and creating a forum for me to challenge my own perspective.  The live case with Canada Post was a great experience: Students in Corporate Social Responsibility

I really like the ability to do them online. It actually adds to the connection in some ways – for example, the chat function allows folks to connect in a way that would be disruptive in person. I feel we were able to do just as much collaborating and networking via distance – it just looked different.”  Student in the Economics class

 

This term, Dr. Carolan McLarney proposed delivering the International Business using an intensive classroom style.  A studio was set up and resources for filming were put in place. Derek Tay and Irena Stropnik were on board to support the communication and technology. I was fortunate to be invited to join Session One of the lectures.  Without question, Dr. McLarney’s idea to structure the Intensive using the classroom method promoted rich discussions and fostered student engagement. The technology and the communication outreach went very well, and students felt comfortable in participating in the discussions.

“This method of delivery is working very well; the students like it and I feel that it is an improvement to other methods I have used in the past year; I will absolutely deliver the summer intensives using the same method and support system – Thanks Derek and Irena.” Dr. Carolan McLarney