PC assembly plant for Riyadh

Arab News, June 24, 2003

JEDDAH, 24 June 2003 — One of the most important roles of schools is to prepare the young generation for the future, and that future is technology-driven. If students fall behind in their awareness of technology, it will be difficult for them to adapt and develop their communities.

Recently, an academic debate was held at the Research and Postgraduate Studies Center of King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah on traditional and modern learning. Modern learning here means e-learning (electronic-learning) which incorporates the Internet in the teaching process.

“We are not computer illiterate but our computer literacy is not proactive,” said Dr. Maarof Haj Mohideen, the secretary general of the Internet Society-Saudi Arabian Chapter and the CEO of International E-learning Consultium. “Computer literacy should be a government policy, and I know that Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, is very interested in this issue. But because of the lack of infrastructure, people’s understanding of the Internet and access to educational sites, we have not been able to use the Internet in the best way.” “We have to change our whole concept of learning,” said Dr. Mohideen.

“Part of learning is arranging the information you receive, utilizing it, processing it, applying it and recycling it; this whole process is learning.” States in the US are already adopting entire virtual curriculums.

A statewide virtual high school is typically state-approved, and with a virtual high school, proponents say, the playing field is leveled. Regardless of geographic or economic differences, students can get the same quality education. “E-learning is not going to teach us everything, it’s a tool,” said Dr. Mohideen. A teacher’s role is very important. “A teacher is a knowledge manager who knows how to utilize knowledge and helps students learn,” he explained. #