GCC sees marked increase in e-Learning

E-Learning is fast becoming an alternative solution to promoting education continuity in the Gulf region, especially following recent concerns related to the spread of the H1N1 (commonly known as swine flu) virus, an industry source said.

Wael Amin, President of ITWorx, believes e-Learning is starting to pick up as countries in the Gulf, as well as in the rest of the Middle East, gradually deviate from the traditional public-education system.

“The Middle East comes from a heritage where education is very centralised and public [or government] driven. Now private schools are becoming a vibrant business as investments in private education pour in. And a lot of these private schools are using technology as a key differentiator in promoting learning,” said Amin.

Across the Gulf, the UAE and Saudi Arabia constitute about 80 per cent of the regional investment in online education, a report by Madar Research Group has revealed. Total spending on e-Learning in the UAE alone is expected to reach Dh266.6 million ($72.6 mln) by the end of 2010, the report noted.

A whitepaper released by ITWorx noted that with virtual classrooms, educators and learners are able to communicate, collaborate and interact no matter where they are – exchange announcements, enter online discussions, respond to surveys, and transfer files and documents easily.

Amin added that “remote learning” allows schools to continue delivering service even if students are not able to physically come to school.

“The e-Learning platform takes advantage of cloud computing as well. In this way, schools don’t have to worry about installing servers and assigning an administrator. They can access this platform as a service [from the internet],” he explained.

Amin said in the UAE, they have sold their e-Learning platform to the GEMS chain of private schools and to about 25 schools supervised by the Ministry of Education.

He added that technology-led learning will be a force in the region especially with the continued development in digital infrastructure.