Online MBA programs may prepare students for advancements in technology

Online MBA programs may prepare students for advancements in technology

Enrolling in an online business degreeprogram may help professionals gain skills that will help them adapt to technological advancements in the boardroom, such as the Augmented Collaboration in Mixed Environments (ACME) system.

The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, IBM Research and the Nokia Research Center have teamed up to develop the ACME system, which allows individuals in different locations interact and collaborate with avatars and objects in one virtual meeting place.

The system includes sensors, cameras and microphones that reflect the changing voices, head and hand gestures or movements of its users to mimic the visual cues of body language.

Neil Katz, an engineer for IBM, said the technology aims to "enable the business community to work more intelligently in a more productive, efficient, convenient and immersive fashion."

ACME is intended to allow professionals to work closely with their colleagues "in an increasingly decentralized world," he added.

Researchers will demonstrate the system October 19 to 22 at the International Symposium on Augmented and Mixed Reality in Orlando.

Online courses may allow working adults to hone technical skills that could prove to be a valuable asset in an increasingly technological professional community.