Touro Student Perspectives

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by trishbee, Dec 21, 2004.

Loading...
  1. trishbee

    trishbee New Member

    I'm researching Touro and I'd like to learn TUI student perspectives of the MBA program. I am aware TUI uses CD-ROMs instead of textbooks. This format concerns me. How do their courses compare to other DL classes with textbooks? Is enough course material presented within the CD? Do all the courses revolve around case studies? Thanks for your help.

    Trish
     
  2. 4Q

    4Q New Member

    Trishbee,

    I recently (Dec 6th) completed my MBA at TUI so I think I have a fairly fresh perspective. However, I've never taken courses at other DL schools so I can't make any comparisons.

    Can you expand on your concerns about the CD-ROM format? If you're concerned that you might not always have access to a computer you could always print the contents of the CD, then put the printed pages into a binder of some sort. Then you'd always have hard copies to fall back on. I don't recommend this--then I again I don't know your situation.

    As fart as case studies--yes, most assignments are case studies centered on a given organization or industry. You will have the odd assignment where you won't have the luxury of a pre-packaged organization to study. These are the ones I found most challenging and rewarding.

    I found the course materials extensive, although about 5 percent of the time I felt portions of the materials didn't directly support the assignments. And looking back, I don't think they were all meant to. The good thing about DL at TUI is the freedom to have "too much" information since the professors aren't not worried about sticking to a given textbook or prescribed way of thinking.

    Feel free to ask specific questions about TUI. Hopefully I can help.

    4Q
     
  3. trishbee

    trishbee New Member

    Touro Perspective

    4Q,

    Thanks for sharing your Touro experience.

    When I first read TUI utilized CD-ROMs instead of textbooks, I was curious to know if TUI’s CD-ROMs contained background information that was meaty, accurate, and from reliable, documented sources. However, from reading your post, it seems that they offer extensive course material. TUI has continued to pique my interest and I wish to learn more about their learning methods.

    4Q, did you find the courses rigorous and challenging? Did you have to do substantial research searches online for your case studies? Was the material presented as a collection of lectures, notes, or specific concepts for each course?

    Thanks again for your help.

    Trish
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I completed the MS-ITM in June and I had a love/hate relationship with the lack of books. It was a good idea to have the CD-Rom's because all the information was current for the links on the web. There was also plenty of background information provided.

    I did not like the lack of text books on one hand. I like books! They give e chance to reference the material at a later date and I like to make notes within the books to clarify topics. I suggested they "recommend" a text book to complement the course.

    Overall, I liked the lack of books more than I hated it. Hope this makes sense.
     
  5. Han

    Han New Member

    On a side note to the CD rom issue - I teach at a B&M institution, and my text book is offered in full textbook format, as well as in full text CD format....... I thought this was very interesting.
     
  6. DTechBA

    DTechBA New Member

    E-Books

    E-Books that you can put on a computer are the thing of the future and cost half the normal rate for a hardback text.

    The CD-ROM is a variation (but not quite the same) of that. I didn't totally like the CD-ROM as I had to print things (or take a laptop) if I wanted to study at work. But the slight inconvenince was much better than spending another couple thousand dollars or so for textbooks....
     
  7. 4Q

    4Q New Member

    Re: Touro Perspective

    Trishbee,

    Admittedly, early on in my studies (first enrolled Winter 02) I felt the work could've been a bit more challenging for a grad-level program. So, I started taking two courses at a time.

    Then, a few things changed.

    First the professors and graduate assistants (GA) seemed to become a bit more demanding as far as the quality of work they expected to see. The quantity of work also increased--three-page case assignments became a rarity, with five to six-page minimums becoming the norm. Sesssion-long projects (SLP) became three pages instead of just one or two. Some (okay just one) of the GAs even became downright anal when it came to "little stuff" like strict adherence to intricacies of APA format.

    The school also toughened it's grading structure during this period. What was once a 60/30/10 structure (case/SLP/TD) became 50/35/15, which meant you really had to step it up a bit concerning TDs and SLPs since they now counted for more of your grade.

    Over time, I came to realize I was doing a heck of a lot of research and writing and frankly spending a lot of time being stumped at figuring out how to make the most effective case while encompassing each of the concepts presented in the backgorund materials. As you stated, the materials were presented in the form of video lectures, presentations and readings (to include numerous chapters of e-books "signed out" from the Net Library). Sometimes you sought to grasp specific concepts; other times you recieved broad exposure to a general aspect of the business world.


    YMMV. However, like any venture, TUI is what you make it. I decided to make the most of it and got a relevant, current MBA as part of the deal, with a 3.92 GPA to boot.

    HTH,

    4Q
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 21, 2004
  8. trishbee

    trishbee New Member

    Thanks

    Thanks, Randell and 4Q for sharing your experiences at TUI. Your thoughts will help me make a decide on which school to enroll in.

    Trish
     
  9. rryan

    rryan New Member

    No problem...

    I was one of the people who thought he’d have a problem with electronic source material. However since I’ve been at TUI, I’ve come to value the electronic document. TUI give you access to not only CD’s, but numerous electronic libraries.

    Using Endnote and Acrobat Pro I’ve compiled a .pdf library of nearly 600 documents, APA style referenced with the ability to electronically search, outline and categorize them on my computer. Researching electronic documents is so much easier than books. Although I also access nearby Northwestern libraries, TUI’s approach has been an advantage.
     
  10. Eli

    Eli New Member

    Trish,

    The course material on CD is sufficient.. as mentioned earlier TUI provides excellent online library access (fees included in the tuition) where students are able to locate excellent references.
    I found TUI's library system invaluable during my doctoral research.

    Hope this helps.

    Eli

     

Share This Page