In line with these four dimensions the following is a

supported from the providing institution remotely from the student. In line with these four dimensions,
the following is a summary of the current approaches adopted by this University in delivery of its MBA
programme to its overseas students:
Materials-based learning refers to the learning materials made available by the University to its
students studying at a distance, including paper-based, audio/visual, and web-based materials, and
other computer-based resources. Materials distributed this way form the main basis of study for the
students on this MBA course.
Programme components delivered by visiting lecturers. This dimension refers to the teaching staff of
the University travelling on a periodic basis to the location of the distance learners to deliver parts of
the programme. In this MBA, this delivery is concentrated into a period of intensive classroom-based
study for a group of students. The functions carried out by the travelling lecturers include initial
orientation, intensive teaching of sections of the programme, tutorial support, and gathering of
feedback. The operations of these lecturers are strongly supported by staff from the collaborating
institutions.
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Yongmei Bentley et al.
Learning supported locally. This MBA programme has close collaborations with each of the local
institutions which provide counterpart lecturers to undertake the defined functions and to provide
necessary support to the local students.
Learning supported from the providing institution remotely from the student . This dimension refers to
the provision of different forms of communication to support individual learners or groups of learners
by a tutor from the providing institution. The forms of communication between the tutor and the
students on this MBA programme have primarily been e-mails and by means of the discussion board
via BREO and other computer-based conferencing (Voice Café and WIMBA Live Classroom
discussions), but there has also been postal correspondence and communications by telephone.
4. Research method
As mentioned above, this research investigated the impact of distance learning support systems on
the learning experience of the MBA students at a number of the University’s global sites. The primary
research method used was by two questionnaire surveys. The first survey covered the period
between April and July 2008, and had both online and off-line components. The second covered the
period between January and March 2009, and was conducted online.
The topics covered in the surveys included learning and teaching strategies, the quality of online
learning delivery, the means of assessment, and the support mechanisms that were already in place.
Comments were also invited where appropriate in order to seek for new solutions. There were 26
questions in the questionnaire which covered seven areas: registration, induction, Business School
days (face-to-face teaching), other teaching support (including textbooks, CD-ROMs, blackboard -
BREO, website links, Voice Café, module queries and responses), assessment design, social
networking, and overall learning experience. In principle, both surveys had the same type of