Over the past few weeks we’ve been introducing you to the special features that make HBX unique. From cold calls to high quality video, these elements distinguish HBX and contribute to its interactive, social, case-based education. Today, we’re talking about how diverse teaching elements distinguish the HBX platform and elevate the learning experience.
Gone are the days of online education consisting of hour-long video recordings of live lectures. Learning with HBX is reimagined specifically for the digital platform, with a full suite of interactive learning tools interspersed with short videos throughout each module. You’ll complete a different activity every 3-5 minutes, and each one is designed to help you learn. These activities are what we call teaching elements, or the building blocks of an HBX course.
Polls allow students to weigh in on questions the professor poses to the class, and then compare and contrast answers with fellow learners. Simulations put students in the shoes of executives making business decisions that will shape the future of their organization. Videos include both short lecture elements from Harvard Business School faculty and also allow students to hear directly from protagonists of featured case studies. Reflections allow learners to pause, consider what they’ve learned, and share their thoughts and perspectives on the course content.
We introduce new teaching elements with every course we launch so that learning never gets stale. As participants learn the material, HBX learns which teaching elements are most effective and continually works to improve them.
HBX CORe participant Anthony Alvarez found the teaching elements made HBX CORe dynamic, engaging, and personal.
“I enjoyed the online platform of HBX the most. I believe a strong graphical user interface makes the entire difference when offering an atmosphere of dynamic learning,” he says. “Also, being able to interact with other students through discussions, questions, and comments made this group-oriented program more enjoyable and motivational.”
Erin Sorenson likened the HBX organization to CrossFit in how its variety captures your attention and enhances your ability to learn.
“CrossFit is constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity,” she says. “HBX is intense work, questions from quizzes are not like the test, you learn to solve problems from the variation. With CrossFit, you develop a balanced physique. With HBX you develop a balanced understanding of business management.”
For Sorenson, the diverse teaching elements helped make CORe an all-encompassing experience; one that required her full effort and attention, and resulted in serious learning.
“HBX CORe is a significant time commitment,” she says. “You will fail if you think you can swoop in after a long day at work or school and take a couple of quizzes and pass in between dinner with the kids and a little R&R time. There are faculty and protagonist videos, practice questions, interactive learning tools and peer-to-peer learning and engagement.”
These teaching elements are the foundation of HBX’s active, social, and case-based learning. Varied teaching elements keep students engaged throughout the length of a course, provide ways for students to interact and learn from each other, and bring case studies to life by highlight real-life businesses and executives.
To learn more about other unique elements of HBX, check out our blogs about cold calls and high quality video!
