Title: Assessment of an online management science course

Authors: Aman Gupta; Ronald R. Mau; Tracey M. Richardson

Addresses: Department of Management Sciences, College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL, USA ' Department of Business Administration, College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, Daytona Beach, FL, USA ' Department of Management Sciences, College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, Daytona Beach, FL, USA

Abstract: Operations research is widely taught in universities around the world and is considered critically important in solving complex organisational problems. With great emphasis on techniques from mathematical sciences including, mathematical modelling, statistical analysis, simulation modelling and others, this subject is considered to be a challenging course to teach and a difficult course for students to learn. Instructors often devise innovative approaches to effectively deliver content. Due to technology advancements and rising demand for flexible learning opportunities, online learning is becoming a preferred mode among today's student, especially adult learners. This paper documents the redevelopment of a graduate level management science course and presents an empirical study in which surveys collected student perceptions pre- and post-redevelopment. The results indicate students find the redeveloped course to be more relevant to current and future career goals and students are more confident in their ability to apply the course concepts to real world problems.

Keywords: distance learning; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; operations research; management science education; graduate level courses; higher education; student perceptions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIOME.2014.067574

International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education, 2014 Vol.5 No.4, pp.376 - 402

Received: 17 Jun 2014
Accepted: 12 Nov 2014
Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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