4 Ways Business School Students Can Optimise Remote Learning

Business education is often synonymous with lively discussions of case studies, in-person presentations and hours spent putting together a group project in a campus cafe. But the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the need for blended learning — whereby traditional face-to-face interactions are combined with carefully crafted remote learning programmes.

While many campuses around the world have reopened, the Covid crisis has reshaped student experiences with institutions of learning permanently adopting hybrid models of teaching. In Singapore, hybrid teaching will even be extended to secondary school and junior college levels, as schools start implementing blended learning for at least two days a month in the second half of 2021. Moreover, a 2020 Student Voice survey, conducted by higher education news outlet Inside Higher Ed and US college analytics firm College Pulse, indicated that “9 per cent of the 2,000 undergraduates from 120 US colleges surveyed don’t ever want to return to in-person classes”.

With travel restrictions still in place, and the business world adopting long-term, hybrid workplaces in the “new normal”, remote working will still be a real possibility even in a post-COVID-19 environment. Virtual learning still retains its relevance and may well be a powerful enabler in nurturing graduates familiar with the nuances of blended learning and working practices the world over. Here are four tips to embrace remote learning as a time-effective, skills-building tool during your pursuit of postgraduate business education.

1. Increase time productivity through flexible schedules

Postgraduate business education is often associated with programmes that are rigorous and demanding. Besides mastering organisational management theory, everyday time management is also a skill necessary for thriving in a rigorous academic programme — and the real-world workplace. Remote study provides a degree of flexibility that will empower learners to tailor their schedules and learn how to use time independently and productively.

At the Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB), students may also choose from 10 part-time or blended postgraduate programmes — a major boon for those hoping to continue their studies while working full-time. Especially for those juggling work and school, blended learning allows for time to be maximised as complex topics are discussed in class, while other subject matter can be made available online.

2. Upskill virtual communication and workflow competencies

It might seem like a breeze for digital natives to avoid remote working faux pas like “zoombombing” — an unwanted intrusion into a video conference call — during a virtual meeting. However, acing virtual work responsibilities transcends being a whiz at juggling online meeting requests. For one, management-level executives need to realise how the adoption of tools like collaborative apps have to be embraced by multiple levels of an organisation and equip all employees — not just millennials and Gen Zs — with the know-how to navigate a seemingly labyrinth-like system of virtual work tools.

Remote learning practices in business school settings will largely replicate this real-world experience, whether through the widespread use of virtual communication tools during project management meetings, gaining thought leadership insights through regular interactive webinars, or skilfully presenting reports with media aids that engage the senses (think visually-driven infographics and snappy videos vs text-heavy slides).

3. Enhance self-awareness to build a bespoke learning experience
Traditional, in-person learning could often be a whirlwind of commutes, seminars and lectures. Remote study sessions, on the other hand, could provide a change of pace, allowing opportunities for greater independent learning and self-reflection.

The ability to replay a recorded online lesson; break down a webinar into digestible, bite-sized viewings at any time of the day; and gain a different perspective into areas of interest by collaborating with overseas group mates can be instrumental in elevating one’s business school experience.

Moreover, according to a Stanford Graduate School of Business Advisory Council survey, self-awareness was rated as the top trait for leadership development. Remote learning can also be conducive to recognising one’s personal learning style and developing lifelong skills to optimise performance and productivity.

4. Take the opportunity to speak up and stand out during virtual interactions

Just as how the interactive pedagogy of SMU equips graduates with the ability to think on their feet and hone their communication skills, virtual learning also provides the opportunity to practise standing out in virtual environments.

The business school environment provides a safe space for developing necessary virtual communication skills, through an immersion into virtual group collaborations, remote critiques, or interactive video classes. For example, the ability to communicate clearly and professionally across a range of online platforms — besides basic e-mail — is crucial in today’s work environment. Not to mention possessing the confidence to ask questions or raise salient points during video conferences, rather than going off-camera and taking a backseat.

Indisputably, a rich campus life and irreplaceable face-to-face interactions are crucial components of a holistic business school education. However, key benefits of remote education such as independent learning, developing virtual social skills, and honing an ability to maximise remote working tools ensures that business school grads are fully equipped to face the future of work.