App usage among business schools has risen by 37 percentage points, when comparing the experiences of those who graduated in 2018 and those who were still studying last year. This is hardly surprising, given the way that MBA students feel about their school’s app: nearly 80 per cent of respondents said they find the app to be useful. The Covid-19 outbreak caused a rapid increase in digital innovation within business schools due to social distancing requirements and remote learning. As a result, schools had to quickly adjust to provide students with a high-quality digital experience. Even after the pandemic, most schools aim to maintain the best digital practices implemented during remote learning. According to the AMBA & BGA Education Technology Report 2021/22 , 84 per cent of business school leaders want to retain the technology introduced during the pandemic. In addition to exploring blended learning and advanced educational technologies, business schools can enhance students’ learning experience by personalising their use of apps. The most popular campus app feature among MBA students is the personalised class schedule, according to 74 per cent of survey respondents. It seems that in today’s technology-rich world, students want digital experiences that are adaptable, accessible and tailored to their needs.
84% of business school leaders want to retain the technology that was introduced during the pandemic
Older students, in particular, have multiple responsibilities and require a digital experience that allows them to learn on their own schedule. Business schools that provide a comprehensive digital experience including online courses, virtual learning environments and access to digital resources are better equipped to meet the needs of this kind of student. Donations & digital disruptors Alumni donations and references contribute to business schools’ revenue and reputation. MBA alumni are also keen to maintain the relationship they’ve developed with their school. In this report, 78 per cent of respondents have stayed, or would have wanted to stay, connected to their business school using digital services or tools. By leveraging a campus app to facilitate alumni relations, business schools have a unique opportunity to drive alumni engagement to benefit the school and its graduates. Exciting digital disruptors are emerging that will change learning and teaching. As business schools evaluate how platforms such as ChatGPT will impact their curriculum, it is important to keep one digital disruptor on the radar: the smartphone. While mobile devices aren’t new, they are a steady presence in our lives. We constantly touch, unlock and look at our smartphones – and so do MBA students. Business schools can become a major presence in their students’ mobile experience and an important part of both students’ and alumni’s lives by offering useful campus apps. More than half (56 per cent) of students and recent graduates believe a mobile phone was essential to completing their management course.
How far do you agree that using a mobile phone is essential in order to complete a business/ management course?
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
7%
Disagree
14%
14%
19%
Agree
10%
Somewhat disagree
12% 24%
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
30 | Ambition JULY/AUGUST 2023
FIGURE 4: How far do you agree that using a mobile phone is essential in order to
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