1. EMBA in Food and Agribusiness Delivering Quantitative Methods Via Distance By: Allan W. Gray

2. Distance Delivery Makes intensive use of Internet-based delivery system About 70% of program content delivered ‘on-line’

3. Residencies Play a critical role in learning experience Some dimensions of MBA education cannot be duplicated via distance education Three residencies at Purdue, one held at international location:

4. Target Audience Mid-career managers who want a challenging, top-tier MBA degreeprogram which respects their chaotic schedules and is focused on food system issues

5. Students and Graduates 32 graduates Currently, 26 students in one class, representing 14 states and 2 countries Average age: 35, 12 years of experience 23% have advanced degrees, 4 with Ph.D./J.D.

6. Quantitative Course Background Course is taught in conjunction with 2 other EMBA courses. Students are expected to spend 5-7 hours per week on this course. Time management for students and instructor is a critical to success. Wide array of student backgrounds Immediate Applicability

7. Delivery Method Lecture Textbook is an integral part of delivery Weekly downloadable “video” of lecture Poster board on the wall Immediate feedback quizzes Assignments Case based Chunking of material How-to file for assistance with assignments Two page memo is the required output Communications Students choice of method Office hours each week Audio feedback on assignments

8. EMBA in Food and Agribusiness

9. Residency Teach a new software and difficult material Designed around case study Make heavy use of off campus material Intended as a “practice” for team projects conducted off campus

10. Final Project Group projects are assigned as a capstone to the Quant and Econ courses Problems identified by each group Quant Instructor becomes a coach Groups deliver final project via distance 45 minute Presentation/45 Minute Q&A

11. Conclusions Understanding the needs of the students is critical in creating a successful course Timing is a critical element that can be easily under estimated With hard work and perseverance an excellent environment for learning can be created in distance-based courses

12. Questions