When you think of online courses, do you envision hours of sitting in front of a computer monitor, watching an endless lecture video?
At HBX, we think differently. Instead of a never-ending lecture, HBX features dynamic, three to five minute videos specially developed for the online platform and interspersed with other teaching elements so participants stay constantly engaged throughout the course experience. HBX video content is not in-person classroom material that is put online; it is an entirely new way to deliver business education content.
In addition to teaching elements like cold calls, high-quality video is one of many features that enables students to learn and engage with the material in a meaningful, interactive way. Explanations of concepts from professors and interviews with business experts in case studies allow students to learn concepts and put them into action in real life business scenarios. A full video team films and edits these interviews specifically for the HBX platform.
For HBX participant Dave Wakely, the high-quality video was key to his experience in Negotiation Mastery
.
“The video occasionally uses animated overlays, but the standard is Professor Wheeler speaking directly into the camera or rich cinematic sequences that set the stage for case study,” he says.
“The cinematic sequences at first seemed like overkill. They were fun to watch, but I questioned if the extra expense was really needed. After taking the course, I can say I was wrong. The scenarios come to life in different way having experienced the real setting.”
As someone who negotiates in his job on a regular basis, Wakely believes the one-of-a-kind video mimics the live experience.
“High-quality videos set the stage for an immersive experience,” he says. “For me I felt the same stresses negotiating during the course that I do when involved in negotiating a collective agreement.”
In addition to the instructional videos in every course, HBX also delivers programs through its' state-of-the-art virtual classroom: HBX Live. HBX Live features a wall of screens where participants around the world can tune in and participate in a live, synchronous course session and discussion with Harvard Business School faculty and each other. Located in the Boston-based facility of public broadcaster WGBH, the HBX Live studio was customized to replicate the case-based sessions of Harvard Business School digitally, even mimicking amphitheater-style seating of classrooms. HBX Live allows for maximum student engagement in an immersive digital environment that students can experience anywhere in the world.
This year, HBX Live will play a crucial role in ConneXt Live: four sessions with HBS faculty discussing the future of leadership will be streamed on Facebook Live so participants everywhere can tune in and participate in the global event.
Between video content throughout courses and HBX Live, HBX has re-imagined how to deliver digital education to anyone in the world.