E-Learning and E-Management in Tunisian Universities

Author(s):  
Rafik Braham ◽  
Lilia C. Belcadhi ◽  
Narjess T. Chebaane ◽  
Maha Khemaja

In the year 2000, policy makers in Tunisian higher education decided to explore ways in which e-learning and e-management could be introduced to enhance university administration and teaching. This effort was by no means an isolated one at the international level. Indeed, it comes as a major spin-off of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) that led to the emergence of e-learning and web-based education and training, enabling remote access to information and knowledge. Developing countries, such as Tunisia which was the host in 2005 of Phase II of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) (Baldoni, M., 2005), have great expectations from the social and economic consequences of the Internet. These countries see the Internet as an opportunity that should not be missed. For this reason, the government has put in place several programs, all of which provide for its citizens e-services, that were, prior to the advent of the Internet, either impossible or real headaches. An important category of these services apply to the sector of higher education. They range from e-learning to student information systems accessible from the web. In this context, the e-learning team in the Higher Institute of Informatics and Communications in Hammam Sousse (ISITC), University of Sousse, has developed and deployed a number of online courses in a blended learning format. Various e-learning projects covering both pedagogical and technical aspects as well as doctoral research works have been under way to support this activity. The deployment of e-learning courses is supervised by the Virtual University of Tunis with technical help from our university. In this chapter, we describe our experiments, the results achieved thus far and some lessons that we have learned. We discuss e-management practices in universities around the world and address issues of concern and human factors at stake especially from the students’ point of view.

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Rai Muhammad Asghar

Higher education systems all over the world are challenged nowadays by new information and communication technologies (ICT). These technologies have had a huge impact on the world economy, corporate management, and globalization trends. They bear a tremendous potential in reshaping the nature of study environments everywhere.The Internet provides the opportunity to access intercultural and personalized knowledge for learning, to acquire theoretical knowledge, and to explore and apply knowledge. The Internet offers worldwide accessible knowledge and learning applications at any time and at any place. One of the learning applications which has become widespread is online learning.Existing and emerging e-learning technologies are having intense, immediate, and disruptive impacts on the education systems. Nowhere is the impact felt more than on the practitioners who teach. More specifically, education has moved into the third decade of profound change in how courses and programs are designed and delivered. During this time, many new possibilities have become apparent. simultaneously, many changes have sprouted in almost all the sectors of education with the rise of e-learning technologies.Online teaching can be defined as gaining knowledge and skills through learning applications that are written, communicated, supported, and managed with internet technology. It is often referred to as e-learning. Online learning has become one of the most beneficial applications in higher education. Online courses and programs continue to grow in higher education sittings. Students are increasingly demanding internet access and as a result, universities and colleges are improving their systems to meet their demands.Online teaching is an instructional delivery system that allows students to participate in an educational space without being physically present in the same location as the instructor. The rapid growth in the number of distant education courses and programs has/had a profound impact on the ideas and beliefs about teaching and learning. The use of the internet with web-based course work has become a core method of instruction in distance learning.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashis Acharya ◽  
Nabaraj Poudyal ◽  
Ganesh Lamichhane ◽  
Babita Aryal ◽  
Bibek Raj Bhattarai ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected all aspects of human life, with education, not an exception. In an attempt to stop the SARS-CoV-2 spreading like wildfire, the Government of Nepal has implemented nationwide lockdowns since March 24, 2020, that have enforced schools and universities to shut down. As a consequence, more than four hundred thousand students of various levels in higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a dilemma about restoring the situation. Several HEIs, nationwide, have leaped forward from the traditional concept of learning—limited within the boundary of the classroom—to choosing digital platforms as an alternative means of teaching because of the pandemic. For this research, the descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out to investigate the effects and challenges of learning via digital platforms during this pandemic. Data were collected from students and faculty at various levels of higher education and analyzed statistically with different factors using t-test and ANOVA, and variables were found to be approximately normally distributed. The study revealed that 70% of the respondents had access to the Internet, but 36% of the Internet accessed did not continue online classes due to unexpected disturbance in Internet and electrical connectivity. Likewise, 65% of students did not feel comfortable with online classes, and among attendees of online classes, 78% of students want to meet the instructor for a better understanding of course matters. According to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, three factors, such as institutional policy, internet access, and poverty, are found to be significant factors affecting the online higher education systems in Nepal. On the brighter side, this outbreak has brought ample opportunities to reform the conventional teaching-learning paradigm in Nepal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-374
Author(s):  
Alla Stepanova ◽  
Iryna Horbas’ ◽  
Oksana Derkach ◽  
Tetyana Ovcharenko

The article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion about the search of alternative sources of research universities funding in the absence of sufficient support from the government. The main objective of the research is to define the possibility of using the endowment as a fundraising tool to attract alternative sources of funding for research universities in Ukraine. The relevance of solving this scientific issue lies in the fact that modern research universities are independent entities, which according to the Bologna Declaration assume the entire load on the future of the state and have to do it at the highest professional level. This can be ensured through a combination of traditional and modern sources of funding. The world experience of successful implementation of the endowment has been presented. The level of knowledge intensity of GDP, which is one of the key indicators that reflects the level of quality of higher education, has been analyzed. The endowment as one of the most effective fundraising tools is poorly developed in Ukraine. This fact has prompted us to research the main provisions of this phenomenon and to define the conditions for its implementation in Ukrainian research-based institutions of higher education by means of the strategic analysis. The conducted SWOT analysis has made it possible to systematize problem areas of the domestic market of educational services in the direction of creating and using the endowment and predicting possible strategies for its development. Since the Research Universities are considered to be the core of creation of intellectual and innovative products and the crucial mover of scientific and technological progress in the country and in the world, they have been chosen as the research object.  Keywords: fundraising, endowment, Research University, market of educational services, investment, alternative sources of funding


Author(s):  
Latinka Ivanova Todoranova ◽  
Radka Valerieva Nacheva ◽  
Vladimir Stoyanov Sulov ◽  
Bonimir Penchev Penchev

Mobile learning can be identified as the next stage in the development of e-learning. In this regard, <strong>the purpose of this paper</strong> is to propose a model for mobile learning integration in higher education which is based on analysis of students’ expectations. То achieve this goal, a survey has been conducted among students enrolled in programs in the field of information and communication technologies. The analysis of the collected data shows that students have mobile devices, which they use not only for communication on social networks, but also for education. In addition, their expectations regarding mobile learning have been identified taking into account their study program and their previous experience with an e-learning platform.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Kamarudin Hussin

The advancement of technology in higher education is always perceived as a valuable innovation that create better impact to the society. The advent of the Internet for instance, has magnificently created important features in learning environment globally. Higher education community optimizes the Internet as an essential resource, communication platforms and dynamic tools in their core teaching-learning, research, consultation activities, entertainment and many others. Moreover, innovations such as mobile technology has successfully broadened access to the Internet and related online services and facilities. Higher education institutions as the hub for technology development and innovation have invested in virtual learning environment to support current needs of global population. Related to this fact, e- learning modules and contents are offered across universities, and interested learners in public communities are benefited by this opportunity. Educators and experts in higher education institutions are delivering their knowledge, discoveries and expertise via e-learning platforms and other supported technology. Equally important, e-learning has successfully expanded opportunities for lifelong and flexible learning, and offered a solution for practical issues and increasing student numbers. As a matter of fact, e-learning has been proposed as a promising way out for many complex issues such asfunding constraints, increasing demand and access to higher education while improving quality and high impact educational provisions in many countries. While addressing these issues, higher education administrators, educators, researchers and policy makers have developed responses in various frameworks. Initiatives such as Competency-Based Online Programs, development of open source materials, flipped classroom and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have contributed towards reducing cost of higher education as well as increasing access to higher education. MOOCs technology has proven its capability to reach massive audienceof about 30,000 students at a time. Across the globe, MOOCs offer free access to online course lectures, self- paced lessons, readings, problem sets, blogs, discussion boards, peer assessment and even online discussion group platforms for global students (Leon and Price, 2016). In 2017, MOOCs offered more than 9,400 courses with more than 500 MOOC based credentials according to data gathered by Class Central. Excitingly, MOOC platforms have recorded more than 81 million learners to date (Class Central, 2017).  


Legal Ukraine ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Sosnin

Scientific discussion of the problems of transformation of the legal foundations of state institutes of scientific and educational institutions under the influence of the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) and innovative thinking of people is extremely relevant and complex at the same time. Various scientific knowledge has been lacking for a long time, however, today, when the development of creative, moral, innovative potential of each person and humanity as a whole has become a priority for any individual and society, has become the most important, generalizing indicator, criterion of national development. To be taken more systematically and responsibly. Information has always and everywhere been valued as a jewel, on which huge financial resources were spent to acquire its media, have always been important. With the advent of radio and television and, ultimately, modern ICTs, it has increasingly become a product that has always been in demand and also sold well, which, unfortunately, has helped turn the miracle of human communication into a monster — a weapon against the sustainable. development of mankind, the protection of which requires deep knowledge of the human psyche, the laws of society and decision-making algorithms. The nature and meaning of the world, covered by various technical means of communication, are increasingly of interest to society, however, the information and communication sphere, as a geocultural phenomenon and force of influence, began to form not so long ago, around the XVIII century, gradually acquiring geocultural weapons. Again, under the influence of the development of ICT, it has become a pervasive force in the twentieth century, and having acquired network methods of use — a weapon. Today it is becoming the most important factor in the transformation of the world order in the structure «matter (people) — energy (finance) — information — a resource for development». This is how the state and legal policy and the realities of the interaction of the countries of the world with each other and, accordingly, the citizens with the government are built, forcing them to look for new ways of evolution of the economy, military affairs, public power, etc. Using new ICTs, the world’s leading countries are constantly updating their scientific and educational sphere, increasing the requirements for professional training of young people in their universities, trying to form an open society with a responsible attitude to social values, more fully define the responsibilities of public authorities, and it is in this direction that the problems of the formation of modern statehood are concentrated. Key words: information, informatization, information and communication technologies, information and communication security, information and communication activity, information space, information war, humanities, scientific and educational policy, information legislation.


Recently, the market of E-Learning is soaring and is known as a new paradigm in modern education. E-Learning acts as a medium, consisting of several types of computers and electronic media that are communication tools as well as the Internet, which provides training and informative access on certain subjects. By using E-Learning students can attend online classes anywhere, regardless of time and place. Generally, E-Learning is more geared towards self-training and is ideal for individuals who work full-time but desire to further their studies. Thus, this study has been developed and integrated with factors leading towards the effectiveness of E-Learning as a tool in Teaching and Learning (T&L) approach. A quantitative approach was applied by using a self-administered distribution of questionnaire targeted at higher education students. Therefore, the outcomes of this research will help to provide insightful information to the current education system in Malaysia, particularly in crafting strategies to enhance the learning education for the country in general.


Author(s):  
Daniel Perez-Gonzalez ◽  
Pedro Soto-Acosta ◽  
Simona Popa

Education has expanded from the traditional in-class environment to the new digital phenomenon where teaching is assisted by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This wave of e-learning is challenging the effectiveness of the traditional educational approach still in place at higher education institutions. Academics and professionals agree that, to adapt higher education institutions to the 21st century, it is imperative to extend the use of ICT as well as the virtualization of many human-interaction activities. In this sense, public institutions and international reports suggest the need to deepen the application and study of e-learning within higher education as a means for achieving flexible, dynamic, and personalized e-learning initiatives. This chapter presents a case study that analyzes the implementation of a virtual interuniversity campus in which nine Spanish higher education institutions took part. For this purpose, the genesis of the project and the main characteristics of the virtual environment are described.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1452-1473
Author(s):  
Ana-Cristina Ionescu

The Internet is definitely the most complex and dynamic technical and cultural phenomenon that humanity ever experienced. Nevertheless, despite its positive impact on the Western world, Web 2.0 has yet to prove its power in the undeveloped regions of the globe, where the Internet Era is still at its dawn. In developing countries, the barriers that women face, such as poverty or social imbalances, establish significant challenges that hinder connectivity and access to modern technologies. In this context, the chapter discusses the evolution of gender speech in relation to new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The authors determine whether the declarations and plans for action that were issued subsequent to the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing enhanced the establishment of gendered policies on ICTs, particularly in the undeveloped regions of the world, and whether, in this way, they empower women, contribute to combating women's poverty, and promote gender equality.


Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Deval

The higher education sector is being influenced by many factors, and a paradigm shift from conventional learning to virtual learning can easily be observed. MOOCs are an innovative initiative in promoting and imparting virtual learning to the end users that are restricted to pursue their higher education due to time, space, and money constraints. Open educational resources are an integral part of MOOCs, and to sustain the viability of MOOCs, quality open educational resources are a need of the hour. Issues related to MOOCs and open educational resources are being taken up by various governmental and non-governmental organizations in accelerating the e-learning concepts among their citizens and to fill up the gaps, if any, to avoid digital divide between the students of regular and open universities. India, being a developing country, needs to put more efforts into promoting the concepts of MOOCs and to popularizing the concepts. In this regard, the Government of India has introduced various platforms for open educational resources for enhancing and supporting MOOCs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document