A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
Rd8
1. Sultan Qaboos University
College Of Education
ILT Department
Summary of RD8:
Strategy and plans for e-learning
At
Sultan Qaboos University
Done by:
Hifaa AL-Suhai
Muna AL-SHuaili
Maryem AL-Mubihsi
Nawal AL-Ghafri
2. Strategy and plans for e-learning at
SQU
SQU in its endeavor to develop its teaching and learning processes is
committed to bringing a quality e-learning environment and
statement
.experience to its faculty members and students
State Goals
State Objectives
Methods and Practices
Survey/Questionnair Strategy
Implementation Plan
Steps
Quality Control
End of semester Survey Monitoring Implementation
Evaluation of Strategy
3. • Introduction
The goal of higher education in Oman is to produce quality graduates capable of promoting
the healthy growth and development of the country. The appropriate at this time for the
University to develop an e-learning strategy to develop a more focused approach, with the
development of quality professionally designed course materials and support in
implementing this initiative as the use of e-learning in teaching becomes disseminated and
diffused into the SQU system. This strategy will serve as a benchmark and a solid foundation
for the development of a more focused e-learning practice and support in its full
Implementation developing technology.
• Policy Statement
SQU in its endeavor to develop its teaching and learning processes is committed to bringing
a quality e-learning environment and experience to its faculty members and students.
Therefore SQU supports e-learning initiatives and adopts its techniques towards meeting
the future academic developments on campus and in the community.
• Goals
1. Provide courses with a greater flexibility in access to learning.
2. Support faculty and staff in recognizing excellence in teaching using e-learning
technology.
3. Explore possibilities of joint projects and collaborative efforts, such as consortia,
among Oman and gulf universities.
• Objectives
1. Course provision
a) Develop a range of courses, from e-enhanced to fully online.
b) Make courses student-centered and web-based.
d) Ensure courses are of a high quality, staff/faculty may access to the delivery
system to teach online.
4. 2. Faculty/Staff Support
a) Provide four Training modules per year to a total of 120 faculty/staff in e-learning.
b) Work with E-learning team and support College Resource Personnel in running
online training and workshops.
c) Provide support in continuing e-education endeavors.
3. Further developments
a) Encourage the adoption of e-learning at SQU.
b) Provide infrastructural and faculty support capable for delivering a community
needs-based quality education through e-learning.
c) Encourage the setting-up of evaluation schemes of e-learning courses and
framework at the university.
4. Consortia
a) Initiate a proposal to work with other high quality Universities in Oman/GCC as
a virtual consortium.
• Methods and Practices
1. Faculty will be responsible for designing their own e-learning materials.
2. The amount of e-learning in each course will be the decision of the faculty and
will be affected by analysis of the students and of the course.
3. Assessment/examination practice will be guided by present SQU policy.
• Implementation Plan
1. Range of e-courses and minimum of one web-based course per student
2. Provide training, consultation, and personnel support
5. 3. Promotion, distance education and e-learning research and evaluation
4. Consortium proposal
• Monitoring Implementation
1. End of semester survey or questionnaire
2. Quality control of course online, based on educational criteria
determined by e-learning team
3. End of semester survey on staff concerning awareness on campus
of e-learning development and services available
• Evaluation of Strategy
• An evaluation of an overall view of the effectiveness of e-learning strategy
should be undertaken every two years by qualified CET faculty/Educational
Services/ College of Education.
• The purpose of the evaluation should initially be determined based on the
expectations of the Academic Council and other stakeholders.
• The strategy goals should be analyzed as well, to help determine and specify
the evaluation approach.
• The appropriate tools may be selected; some of which may be used during the
running of courses, some after course completion. Therefore, the evaluation
should be designed in the semester before data collection begins.
• The evaluation report should be made to the Academic Council, and should
include recommendations for future developments and modifications.
• Required Resources
1. Human Resources
a. CET E-learning team
b. Resource Personnel:
2. Infrastructural Resources
a. reliable Internet and Intranet.
b. a lease/loan system to purchase a computer.
c. compliant computers with the educational delivery system.
d. quality technical backup/help
6. 3. Digital Library
a. Available electronic library resources internationally.
4. Administrative Support
a. university administration to facilitate the full implementation of the
e-learning initiative.
b. College Administration to support the e-learning initiative and
institute a scheme.
c. Certification for faculty following participation in online e-learning
course.
d. Recognition and incentives
5. Financial Resources
a. Personnel
b. Training
c. Infrastructure
d. Offices and Equipment.
e. Budget
6. Budget
Initial investment