GOTEVT Elearning Initiative, Saudi Arabia

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GOTEVT E-learning Initiative, Saudi Arabia

• Dr. Jasir Alherbish, Head
• E-Learning Main Committee
• GOTEVT, Saudi Arabia
• November 2005

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GOTEVT in Brief

• General Organization for Technical Education and
  Vocational Training(www.gotevot.edu.sa)
• Government Org. Running the Technical Education
  in Saudi Arabia
• Population of 70,000 Students
• More than 50 in 30 Technical Colleges

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Why GOTEVT E-learning Initiative?

• To Improve quality of teaching and training
  through standardizing the educational process
• To overcome the geographical barrier given the
  large number of technical colleges(30) in a vast
  area of the Kingdom
• To cut training cost partially in the long run

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Why GOTEVT E-learning Initiative? (Continued)

• Diversity of teaching and learning methods
• E-learning has the advantage of expanding
  methods and tools to deliver knowledge from the
  instructor to the student.
• Transforming into the electronic society.

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The Initiative Vision

• The Establishment of an integrated and unified
  E-learning environment that complies with the
  industry standards available anytime anywhere for
  both trainers and students of GOTEVT using
  blended learning to enhance the quality and
  quantity of technical education in Saudi Arabia.

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The 6 Tracks of the Initiative

• The establishment of the E-learning and Training
  Center.
• Basic Computer Skills Training Using
  e-learning
• The Production of E-learning Courses for GOTEVT
  Colleges

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The 6 tracks of the Initiative(Continued)

• The production of self learning electronic
  materials.
• The establishment of Self-Learning Centers (SLCs)
• The design of the El-earning Strategic Plan

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Track 1 E-learning and Training Center(ELTC)

• Established late 2002
• Responsible of Running the E-learning Project at
  GOTEVOT in both Technical and Managerial aspects
• Current Projects Include Arabization of an Open
  Source LMS, Production of 5 Training Packages,
  and Training GOTEVOT Teachers

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Track 2 Basic Computer Skills Training Using
E-learning

• Started Early 2003 in 5 Technical Colleges
• Uses E-learning Materials to Train GOTEVOT
  Students Basic Computer Skills (The 7 Modules of
  ICDL)
• Performed Through Training Alliance with ElementK
  and ICDL Saudi Arabia
• More than 30,000 Students Benefited in 10
  Technical Colleges

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Track 3 The Production of E-learning Courses

• 5 E-learning Courses are under Development
• Courses are SCORM Compliant
• Courses are due to be Published on GOTEVOT LMS
  Late 2005
• Development is 100 In-House
• Beta version www.elearning.edu.sa

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Track 4 The Production of Self Learning
Electronic Material.

• High-quality Educational Video can be transformed
  into electronic learning material.
• The material is composed of Video, Text,
  Animation, and self-assessment
• Topics cover different Vocational subjects

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Track 5 The Establishment of Self-Learning
Centers (SLCs)

• These Centers Serve as the Digital Library of
  GOTEVT Colleges
• A Model SLC has been launched early 2004
• The Center is a High-speed LAN connecting 30
  Powerful Multimedia PCs
• The Center contains more than 200 titles of
  E-learning CDs .

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Track 6 The Design of the El-earning Strategic
Plan

• To formalize the E-learning Initiative an
  Executive E-learning Committee has been Formed
  Late 2003
• The Committee has produced a 5-Year E-learning
  Strategic Plan(2005-2010)
• The Previous 5 Tracks are the major parts of the
  plan
• The implementation will be a mix of Outsourcing
  and in-house approaches.

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Expected Obstacles

• High-Initial Costs and Indirect Costs
• Internet Speed and availability
• Resistance of Change by Different Organizational
  Levels
• The Language Barrier (An Arabic LMS and Arabic
  Content is needed)
• Shortage of qualified e-learning Staff

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Outsourcing?

• Advanced training programs for
  e-learning centers staff
• Partial Course Development
• E-learning Quality Control and Quality Assurance
• Assessment and Evaluation Tools

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Partners

• ICDL Saudi Arabia
• ElementK Middle East
• IC3 Middle East
• eArts Consulting/edu2web
• Malaysian Open University
• Multimedia University

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Steps to Effective ImplementationDr. Shirley
Waterhouse

• E-Learning Vision and Goals
• Raising Awareness
• Address Culture and Change Issues
• E-Learning Strategic Planning Process
• E-Learning Support for Faculty
• Technology Infrastructure for e-Learning
• Facilitate Adoption among Faculty
• Implement Pilot projects
• Address Effectiveness
• Determine Return on Investment

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Final Word

• Our Aim is to give the human factor the same
  importance given to the machine to make the
  initiative successful