Return to:
Capella University
Dr. Maudie Holm
Core Faculty – Business and Technology
Capella University
Dr. Maudie Holm first began teaching online courses in 1995. Since then, she has seen the field develop at a breakneck pace. Co-author of the book Educational Lean for Higher Education: Theory and Practice, Holm teaches at the Ph.D. level as a core faculty member for the business and technology department at Capella University. Her specialties include courses in organizational behavior, management sciences, ethics, research, and management education.
What do you like about Capella’s business program?
Our management education program is one of the most unique in the country. It is multi-disciplinary with learners studying in the School of Business and Technology and the School of Education. They emerge with adult learning theory and curriculum development while learning the management sciences, which is the discipline they will teach at the university level. I was part of this program since its inception and am very proud of it. I have only found six other programs around the world offering this when I researched this in 2006. There might be more now.
Can you explain the online learning platform that Capella uses? How does it facilitate student learning and interaction?
We presently use Blackboard and, as with any Learning Management System (LMS), the facilitation is only as good as the instructor behind it. I would say that a good instructor leverages the LMS one is using to achieve solid learning outcomes. I enjoy a competency-based curriculum to assure quality and deep content mastery. Finally, it is imperative to be hyper-responsive to learners in online environments. I not only interact with them, but insist they interact with one another, which is a rich source of learning as well. In terms of how this is accomplished, it is partially design, partially the instructor’s methods (Socratic questioning, coaching, etc.) but is also highly dependent upon the motivation of the learner.
How do you communicate with students? Do you network and keep up with students after the semester is done?
I use Twitter, our own internal version of Facebook, Skype, and email, along with course room presence. We even have course room “pop-ups” for announcements. In general, I try to over-communicate because I have learned there is no such thing. People attend to information when they need it, and not before. That is why I am scattered in new media. I do keep track of my dissertation students after graduation. Those who have taken courses with me tend to be in at least one more and we meet face to face at least once a year. I am keenly interested in their stories and progress.
How would you describe Capella’s student body?
I enjoy our student body because they are predominantly working professionals. They are highly motivated and kind of “no nonsense” since they are doing this on their own dime (not mom and dad’s) and have careers, families, etc. They see a benefit to pursuing higher education, and I am highly invested in their success, as they are. Because they are mature, we can focus more on content mastery and not “housekeeping.” I definitely thrive on working with adult learners. You cannot believe how accomplished some of them are, and what they have gone on to do.
What defines a successful online student in your classes? What advice do you have for students thinking of pursuing online education?
This question is intermingled. What I would define as successful is actually some characteristics I would ask someone to reflect upon when choosing his or her educational path. How serious are you about completing a degree? Are you willing to sacrifice time — social and personal — to complete your work? Do you have support systems around you? Do you feel academically prepared to take the next step in your academic career? Are you self-disciplined? Are you good at time management?
If you answer no to any of the above, it simply means you need to heighten your awareness and that you might need to build these skills. Of course, you can do so. In many ways, pursing an advanced degree requires tenacity, commitment, and a tad of humility. This is true whether online or face to face. Online, though, requires more reading and affords you more independence. This means your teacher isn’t there to scold you if you don’t show up. This also means you need to have the discipline to show up, since most courses are accelerated. In my opinion, if you miss more than one week of class, go home. Don’t waste your time and money. Either … determine you will do this or don’t. Since much of the lesson plan is imparted through reading and multi-media, you will have to stay focused. Although some feel that online learning is isolating, I would suggest the opposite is true. You would be surprised how you get to know people, how their personalities are emitted through the screen, and how you feel a camaraderie with your peers. I continue to be amazed at how frequently and willingly online learners help each other. It is really a strong community.
When it comes to online education, what makes Capella one of the best online colleges?
I am convinced that Capella’s educational offerings can compete with anyone’s. Personally, I am always revising curriculum, updating readings, and scanning the environment for what others are offering in the way of degrees. Because our research for program development is so intensive, I feel the end product reflects what you would expect — solid business foundation, solid specialization knowledge, and then ramping up to the more “edgy” or futuristic trends. You have to look to the past and look forward. In addition, our faculty [is comprised of] accomplished professionals and our student support rivals any I have seen. We also have one of the best online libraries in the country. It is truly amazing. Lastly, we have a writing center that will coach a learner at any stage of his or her development. Undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students use the writing center. These services, along with our scholar-practitioner model, make our offerings learner-centered.
