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Dramatic change is in the wind throughout the management education universe (Doh, 2010; Kao, 2011). Globalization, demographics, and technology are three of the major factors driving this revolution. Not surprising, the call for significant improvements in MBA programs via a pro-active mission-based approach is not new (Kleiman, 2007). To that end, the creation and delivery of alternative models of management education is receiving increased attention (Lorange, 2012; Thomas, M., 2012). Specifically, the deployment of network-based learning models is at the forefront of this paradigm shift. Speed, agility, and adaptability are three key characteristics of this new learning zeitgeist. Many in the management education community agree that variance in instructor competence and delivery methods are determining factors in learning effectiveness (Rubin, 2013).
Business schools must be able to respond quickly to the changing requirements from both the business community and students. A recent study, sponsored by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), revealed a wide gap between the changing needs of the business community and the programs being offered by the business management community (Bruner, 2011). The AACSB report specifically calls for strengthening international partnerships, expanding internationalization within the curriculum, and connecting various global activities through a comprehensive collaboration strategy.
Collaboration among a variety of groups within the institution creates opportunities for educational change. Engaging the educational community in the curricular change effort helps create a common vision and a culture that supports the institution’s educational efforts. Addressing the potential barriers in the educational change effort ahead of time helps an institution plan more efficiently and effectively for curricular change (Oliver, 2011).
One way to provide access to these learning collaboration networks is through the use of social media. This communication technology has already seen widespread utilization throughout higher education, albeit in an application not normally associated with the leaning process – –namely, crisis management (Armour, 2010; Bender, 2012). In that role, social media networks (SMN) have linked college campuses in an interactive dynamic communications environment, which is not dissimilar to the use of social media in a learning context. Specifically, a recent study indicates that Twitter appears to be a preferable platform for crisis communication when it comes to secondary notification (Snoeijers, 2014). The fact that these systems are already in use by administrators, faculty, staff, and students helps ameliorate the challenges associated with transitioning to a web-centric learning universe.
The ubiquity of social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) is no more apparent than at the university. Social media are increasingly visible in higher education settings as instructors look to technology to mediate and enhance their instruction as well as promote active learning for students. Many scholars argue for the purposeful integration of social media as an educational tool (Tess, 2013).