Title: Student perceptions on the benefits of audio conferencing in MBA distance learning courses

Authors: Mark Sena; Gerald Braun; Elaine Crable

Addresses: Department of Management Information Systems, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, USA. ' Department of Management Information Systems, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, USA. ' Department of Management Information Systems, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, USA

Abstract: As businesses increasingly use collaboration tools with audio capabilities to support online meetings, it is important for universities to examine the potential value that similar tools can add to distance learning courses. This study reveals findings from MBA students regarding the perceived benefits of online meetings supported by Wimba Classroom, an online collaboration tool with audio capabilities. The results are benchmarked against the perceived benefits of students who participated in online meetings using Blackboard Virtual Classroom, an online collaboration tool that lacks audio capabilities. The central findings of the study provide evidence to suggest that collaboration tools with audio may be an important component in distance learning courses with synchronous online meetings.

Keywords: audio conferencing; distance learning; online perceptions; online education; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; internet; world wide web; MBA programmes; master's degrees; business administration; student perceptions; collaboration tools; audio capabilities; online meetings; virtual meetings; universities; higher education; potential value; perceived benefits; Blackboard; learning management systems; LMS; educational software; Wimba; virtual classrooms; synchronous meetings; asynchronous communication; USA; United States; education management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2012.047268

International Journal of Management in Education, 2012 Vol.6 No.3, pp.228 - 241

Published online: 20 Dec 2014 *

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