Dr. Milad Sebaaly

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E-Learning Experiences in the Middle East

• Dr. Milad Sebaaly
• Chief Executive Officer Levant Region
• Technology World Company
• Kuwait Amman Damascus Beirut

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A G E N D A
1- Introduction 2- Background 3- Transformation
Dimensions 4- Challenges
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Macro Level
Knowledge Economy Information Society Economic
Development Human Capital Human Resources
Development
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Human Resource Development

1. Short-Term Lifelong Learning
2. Medium-Term Higher Education
3. Long-Term Basic Education (K-12)

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Challenges of HRD in the ME
Lifelong Learning

1. Universities are overcrowded
2. Few Lifelong Learning programs
3. Old curricula
4. Traditional culture (lifetime degrees)

6
Challenges of HRD in the ME
Higher Education

1. Limited capacity
2. Limited Specializations
3. No link to market needs
4. Aging curricula
5. Unable to attract young scholars
6. Minimal RD activities
7. Weak Infrastructure
8. Conventional Teaching Methods

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Additional Challenges

1. Limited research on current/future market needs
2. No clear HR requirements
3. Old job profiling
4. Heavy public sector
5. Public spending on education is no more enough

8
Additional Challenges

1. Young societies
2. Brain drain
3. Perception of E-Learning and Online Learning
4. Lack of recognition and accreditation criteria by
   ministries and authorities
5. Resistance from academics

9
Change Avenues

1. Advanced Infrastructure
2. Modern pedagogical methods
3. New specializations
4. Instilling Lifelong learning concept
5. Wider access to education
6. Market needs assessment
7. Larger private sector role

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Background
Archers
GI
TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
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Background
Archers
GI

• AUD (1998-2002)
• Conventional University
• Early stages of eLearning/Technology
• Applications
• Extra-curriculum Activities
• Limited change is allowed to the mode of
• teaching
• - Technology Support Image face-lifting

TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
12
Background
Archers
GI

• SVU (2002-2004)
• Full-fledge Virtual University
• High Level Support
• Ministry Accreditation
• Awareness and Readiness Gap
• Lack of Expertise
• Local Market Needs
• Lack of funds

TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
13
Background

• UKS (2003-Present)
• Specialized eLearning Solution Provider
• Advanced technical/academic expertise
• Infrastructure
• Tools (LMS, AMS, VC, VLE, etc.)
• Content Development
• Training (Teachers, Students, etc.)
• Change Management
• Strategy Building
• Clients K-12, HE, CE
• Lack Awareness
• Lack of funds

Archers
GI
TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
14
Background
Archers
GI

• TWC (2004-present)
• Technology Investment Company
• Financing and Equity Investment in
• Educational Technology projects
• Risk Management
• Project and Operations Management
• Entrepreneurship and Start-ups
• New Public-Private-Partnership Models
• Lack of Awareness, Specialized Funds

TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
15
Background
Archers
GI

• Archers (2005-present)
• Specialized Academic Market Research
• Specialized Sector Intelligence
• Specialized Awareness and Marketing
• Global Investment (2006-present)
• Specialized Funds Management
• New Academic Financial Models
  (PPP, BOT, JV, etc.)

TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
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Archers-GI
From Ideas to successful Projects?
TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
Blended Programs Online Education Lifelong
Learning Content Repositories Sustainable Change
Ideas Professors Trials Preliminary
Research Pilot Implementation
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Archers-GI
Transformation Dimensions
TWC
UKS
SVU
AUD
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Change Avenues
Technology
Investment
Awareness
Academia
Structure
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Challenges
"I never try to teach my students anything. I
only try to create an environment in which they
can learn." Albert Einstein
E-Learning is not only about Technology or
Content, It is about Learning
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Challenges
How to become an e-Tutor or an e-Student? How to
increase Faculty and Students confidence? How to
ensure Quality?
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Challenges

• Instructor-based culture resistance
• Fear of Technology
• Fear of Additional Work
• Lack of Incentives
• Choosing the right blend
• Language and cultural barriers

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Challenges
E-Learning/Blended Learning Is it a substitute
to the conventional classroom? When? What
Criteria? Is it an enhancement to the
conventional classroom? When? What Criteria? Is
it equivalent to the classroom experience? When?
What Criteria?
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Challenges
Learners Age group Maturity Readiness IT literacy Incentives Motivation Experience Academic Level K-12 HE Continuing Education Specializations Learning Outcomes Logistics Distributed Regional Groups Individuals Physical Institutions Virtual Institutions
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Challenges

• Educators must
• Be willing to devote great effort
• Be willing to re-think their teaching mode
• Be willing to make time for frequent
  communication with their students
• Get used to the latest tools

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Challenges

• Administrators should
• Allow Professors to work at their own pace in
  their own environment
• Eliminate stressors
• Provide role models
• Support training
• Encourage collaboration

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Challenges

• Cultural Issues
• Patriarchal System in society (father, teacher,
  master, boss)
• Socio-psychological image of Professor (Wise,
  Leader, Unquestionable)
• Leadership Style (tendency towards paternalistic
  styles)

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Challenges
Leadership Styles
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Challenges

• Implementing e-learning is complex
• Many organizations are still experimenting
  e-learning
• Implementing e-learning means far more than
  installing LMS and other tools
• Implementing e-learning requires new/modified
  organizational structures
• Implementing e-learning is about project
  management, change management, and risk management

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Challenges
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Challenges

• Quality Assurance
• How to accredit
• Local vs. international Programs
• Blended vs. Online Programs
• Existing Universities vs. Stand-alone
  eUniversities
• What procedures and guidelines for licensure,
  self study, evaluation, and accreditation
• Are International Guidelines sufficient?
• How can Regional/International organizations help?

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Challenges

• Ministries and regulating bodies are behind
• No experience, very reluctant to step forward
• Mixing between modern e-Learning and traditional
  distance learning
• Copying from other countries experiences without
  considering local circumstances
• Different age groups, target audience, and motifs

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Challenges

• Integration- Localization and development-
  Infrastructure- Weak open-source movement

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Challenges

• Bandwidth and speed
• Standards
• Interoperability between different LMSs
• Courses compatibility and reusability
• Accessibility

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Challenges

• Public Funding
• Innovative models of Public Private Partnerships
• Role of Private Sector
• Specialized long-term low-cost Funds
• Economy of Scale
• Financing Options

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Challenges
New Concepts to Academia (Specially
Public) Communication Strategy Awareness
Campaigns Brand Positioning Continuous Market
Research and Statistics Feedback
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Challenges

• Change Management
• How to get people on board of change
• Bureaucracy
• Laid-back attitudes
• Low income
• Free services mentality
• Political interference

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Challenges

• Change Management
• Passive Learners
• Classroom-Based Learning culture
• No / Weak Self-Learning Skills
• No / Weak Self-Motivation
• No / Weak Time Management Skills
• Bargaining mentality

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Critical Success Factors

• Mass awareness of the benefits of e-learning
• Phased and planned introduction of e-Learning
• Change Management
• Acceptance and commitment of all stakeholders
• Collaboration between educational institutes
  with technology enablers, content providers and
  ISPs
• Vision, Leadership, and Innovation

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Critical Success Factors
Leaders of Change

• Know the context
• Remain positive
• Make clear decisions
• Are consistent
• Bring issues alive
• Use consistent e-learning terminology
• Encourage frank discussions
• Are Creative
• Are good promoters of the program

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How to Measure Success?
Learner Engaging, fun, relevant,
fast-paced Instructor Material well received,
students learned what was planned. No
disruptions Administrator High passing rate,
100 attendance, profitable Instructional
Developer Materials flowed well, treated main
issues, exercise supported the course
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• Thank You

www.twcompany.net msebaaly_at_uks.ae