E-learning

          Learning through information technology

   By Sadia Wali

      Innovations in teaching and learning have changed the perspective of learning across the world. Educators have adapted new educational technologies which have enhanced the scope of collaborative online learning for students. E-learning is an educational technology that technically supports learning and teaching. Bernard Luskin, a pioneer of e-learning, advocates that the "e" is interpreted to mean "electronic." This interpretation focuses on new applications and developments. E-learning encompasses multimedia learning, computer-based training, internet-based training (IBT), web-based training (WBT) and online education.

E- Learning has rapidly increased in developed countries. However, developing countries like Pakistan are facing challenges in implementing E-learning programs. Since E- learning has been introduced recently in Pakistan, this online education system is developing slowly. Consequently, this system of education is expensive and the educational institutions lack professional instructors that could provide complete guidelines to students about their studies. The institutions are also deprived of all the essential facilities such as computers and laptops. Most of the students and working professional are interested in broadening their horizon and knowledge through e- learning however domestic responsibilities, limited choices and financial problems constraints them to arrange time for an E-learning course.

Another challenge is related to course, its development, and delivery. Concerns have been raised regarding designing an innovative curriculum suitable for E-learning environment. The tradition of attending school is still prevailing among people, therefore mostly students are trained to show honor for teachers who are considered as the experts. Students being spoon fed by teachers and too much dependency of students on teachers are taken as obstacles in E-learning settings.

“There is a need to create awareness how E-learning is different from conventional classroom based learning   said a teacher. While comparing e- learning with traditional face-to-face classroom learning, she believed that that traditional classroom environment following instructors dictating content and rote learning has become uninteresting for the students. E-learning environment is a more learner-friendly as the role of a teacher is different in an e-learning environment.’’

“E-Learning foster students interaction and collaboration and assists them to choose content and tools appropriate to their interests, needs, and skill levels. It motivates students to be much more engaged and to take more responsibility for what they’re learning’’ stated another teacher.

  “E-learning is good for education uttered a mother. As it gives more knowledge, practical approach and provide global knowledge to students.”

However some parents do not agree. They believe that e-learning cannot be attained without proper guidance and help as some students find hard to study online course.”

Similarly, another mother declares, “E-learning can definitely be useful but then the overall development of a student is hindered. I suggest that there should be a facility of both classroom learning environment and E-learning facility too. So child should have an experience of going to school and also gets acquainted with technological world.’’

What do students really think about online learning? Can E-learning be a substitute for the class room learning?

A survey conducted by some Pakistani students in the year 2009-10 revealed that the majority of students (over 90%) found learning over the Internet and via satellite TV beneficial. Students who have opted for e-learning think that the flexibility of online learning is a positive factor.

“It is an efficient alternative to taking the class physically. To study the topic in depth, students can select some important websites such as Coursera's online classes which are designed to help students to achieve mastery over course material. The website Coursera is offering massive open online courses since 2012. Lectures, talks and discussions of the teacher are also accessible on the website. The option of video conferencing technologies and online demonstrations of concepts are helpful in imparting valuable knowledge.’ opined a group of students.

However, some students do not find E-learning interactive as they say “We love the personal classroom feeling of attending the lectures and getting involved in group discussions, assignments, and projects. Students are more engaged in learning and retain knowledge better than online study. By analyzing the students learning styles and interests, the teachers can adjust their teaching methods and strategies.’’

A group of students hold similar opinions, “In classroom learning, we get to know many important things which we cannot get from E- learning. We get to know how to behave, how to interact and maintain relations within group or friend circle. These etiquettes can be learnt in a classroom environment.’’ 

Students in far-flung areas of Pakistan are eager to acquire on-line education. Accessing E-learning education in remote areas of the country is not easy since the survey conducted by students notified that mostly small cities and towns do not have specialized educational institutes which provide e-learning education. Students also complain of lack of computer and internet facilities; well-organized libraries and efficient mentors who could guide them about e- learning education. Government need to provide modern education facilities  in less privileged areas  so that people living in these areas also get opportunity to acquire modern education. Learning through information technology has evolved a new era of education all over the world. It is hoped that e- learning in Pakistan will refine the cognitive skills of young individuals and it will assist them to contribute towards the development of global knowledge.

 Today, many educational institutions in Pakistan have greatly emphasized the need for the development of internet based information technologies which will help to enhance standard of education and training systems. However it is essential that the government should provide facilities to those institutions that are providing online education and assure that e- learning should be easily accessible by all groups of society.

The Writer is a freelance writer. She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com

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Prevailing anarchy in our society

Prevailing anarchy in our society

 By Sadia Wali

‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’

(Reference ‘The King James Version translation of Proverbs 29:18’)

In developed societies, family and community with their collaborative efforts, motivation and commitment accomplish their higher goals. Dedicated individuals committed to bring social change in society create an invigorating and inspiring impact on young people to be responsible, develop a positive vision and sense of direction. These are the profound leadership qualities which actually pave the way towards a successful and meaningful existence. 

We as a society have become victim of anarchy and disorder. Civic sense as an ethic has less significance since our youth do not show any concern regarding fulfilling their civic responsibility. As I quote an example.  We are the first to complain about public facilities but at the same time, we neglect our responsibility to maintain it. Roads are not dirty because nobody cleaned it, but because we think that somebody dirtied it in the first place and it is his responsibility to clean .Thus, we continue to throw dirt on the road side. The most common violation which people do are spitting and smoking in public places. In spite of the red signal on the road mostly young people ignore the traffic rules and break the signals.

Ethics is a code of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the purpose and course of our lives. 
— Ayn Rand, Russian-American novelist and philosopher (1905-1982) 

 It is an irony that we do not have proactive individuals who realize the significance of collective and individual potential to bring change in society.  How many times we have heard any dedicated person speaking, ‘I can initiate a change! Even If we talk about change, it is merely the change we want for ourselves and not for the community or society.

It is a sad reality that today our youth is completely lost, their blurred vision, lack of sense of obligation, core values and moral principles is drifting them towards anarchism. To become sound practicing Muslims, our youth needs to realize the purpose and vision of life and this has been clearly defined in the holy Quran and Sunnah. The Islamic paradigm is Tazkiya - Nafs which means purification of our heart and minds.

 As stanch Muslims, it is our belief that we are accountable to Allah for every acts and deeds. As Quran says, “And as such on the final Day of Judgment each Nafs or human will have to reply for his conduct of this earthly sojourn. (al-Infitar: 05) and that will be a very tough day of this meeting (al-Inshiqaq: 6).”

Realizing our priorities and responsibilities, we need to develop inspirations of a Khalifa who served the people selflessly, honestly and sincerely. Our young fellows who are torch bearers of Islamic values and traditions need proper guidelines, role models   and leadership that broaden the vision of young fellows, make them positive thinkers, realize the importance of moral values and understand the purpose of shared vision. Motivated young individuals can utilize their potentials in the best way by positive involvement in fulfilling the tasks such as taking small initiatives, determining the objectives for the task and provoking civic sense and sense of responsibility in others.

To foster tolerance, moderation ethics, morality and self reliance is indeed a big challenge for us. It is the cultural norms and values which lead us to a well-balanced and successful society. Social bonding, goodwill and respect towards each other serve a lot of purpose, helps to manage our social life and develop good relationship with the people around us. The spirit of empowerment, self- awareness, individual competence, personal growth, collaboration and team work will help to transform our thinking and thus bring revolutionary changes in the society.

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Does school really prepare students for a job

Does school really prepare students  for a job

By Sadia Wali

“Education in Pakistan cannot be acquired, it is something taken as a purchasable thing says Hassan, a student of a private medical university. Today, goal of education is simply to prepare young students to attain materialistic purposes in life. The spiritual and moral education which is essential for character building and nurturing minds is not given significance in our education.”

Therefore, the question arises in our minds what are actually the goal and objectives of an educational institutions? What they aim at? Nowadays, the phenomenon of teaching has been changed? Instead of fostering knowledge and learning in young people, today education is merely motivating young people towards accomplishing academic goals.  Teachers are demoralized and lack spirit of professionalism and commitment. Consequently their capacity for learning is also passive and this has negatively affected individual competencies and personal growth.   

A teacher, who had taken fifteen years out from the profession of teaching to raise her kids returned to teaching six months ago. Being a teacher she observed various changes in the attitude of teachers and students. ‘What really struck me is that kids have become more cynical, impatient and intolerant and less receptive for learning. They use vulgar language.

Parents think that young individuals are less motivated, less responsible and more confused about life. They believe that it is not worth paying thousands of fees in an institution which are not providing purposeful education. Their children seem to have completed the whole course yet they could not prove what they learnt. The question comes to our minds what they learn at the institutions? It is imperative for parents to know whether their son or daughter is acquiring quality education or finding an easy way out to get fake degrees to get desired job.    

Due to uninspiring teachers, young people lack vision and objectivity of acquiring authentic learning, core values and morality. The learning capacity of young people has been influenced by consumer culture. Hence they opt to study those subjects which offer more market value and have better chances of money making. For money minded individuals, it does not matter as to which of the subjects can be more useful for improving their academic learning and knowledge or helpful in character building. They are solely engaged in pursuing fulfilled careers.

However some young intellectuals say that a degree is just a certificate that tells to the world that we have studied some facts from a text book, but the actual thing is that the knowledge and learning which we gain from our education institution should bring a positive change in our thinking and attitude thus, playing a pivotal role in developing a wholesome personality. It is a harsh reality that we have fewer intellectuals and more money minded individuals.

To regain leadership qualities and intellectual stimulation it is essential that our youth must understand the real purpose of education. The most important aspect of education is to develop realization in an individual to know about the purpose of his existence, truth, reality and wisdom. Learning is as natural as breathing, so the aim of Education should be to develop Self initiated learning in young people which boost up their creativity and imaginative thinking and enhances their quest for continual learning and knowledge.

Imam ghazali says, "knowledge exists potentially in the human soul like the seed in the soil; by learning the potential becomes actual." 

To make young people innovative thinkers, teachers who are also mentors; need to reform the mind of young individual by being optimistic, passionate and visionary. Vigorous and energetic teachers motivate their students to work with passion and enthusiasm and engage them in real-life learning activities.

As Khalil Gibran says about an inspiring teacher, “The teacher who is indeed wise, does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.”

To lead an inspiring life, teachers have to rethink about educational beliefs. Committed and enthusiastic teachers should think about the aim of education and enhance their own teaching practices and try to bring about a positive change in students’ lives who could then contribute to bring a change at societal level. 

An enthusiastic student appreciated the efforts of his mentors who played an eminent part in building up his successful career.  He says, ‘My experiences make me feel that life changes if you have a mentor who is enthusiastic, understand you well and encourage you to face the challenges of life with persistence  and strength of mind.  I still remember my mentor words that life is not determined by the grades. Secondly, possibilities are infinite we have to be ambitious and eager to find a way to accomplish them’.

Consumer driven society and distracting mass media continues to influence the minds of our youth. The prevailing anarchy in young people indicates that they lack the spirit of empowerment, self- awareness and individual competence. To foster tolerance, moderation ethics, morality and self reliance in young individual, educational institutions have to play a pivotal role. Teachers have to become more innovative and apply modern teaching methods in classrooms which develop "thinking" students.

Education system can become more powerful if it is integrated with Islamic tarbiyah. Islamic Tarbiyah endeavor to establish a school setting for children who provide them with the learning and education necessary to effectively establish and maintain their character, norms, values, and ideals and combined with outstanding academic achievement.

Muhammad Abid Ali says in his article “Islamizing the taleem part 10, Education and perception development’’

‘‘An education system developed on the wrong assumptions and sprouting from the wrong roots will be full of misleading and hidden traps for us as Muslims. Present dilemma is we ourselves are more or less the product of this alien western education and cannot see these traps unless we go to some depth of educational processes and compare it with the requirement of education from Islamic perspective.’’

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