Distance learning: An opportunity for the Maghreb!
30 August 2010
Read by 1573 persons
Distance learning, commonly known as "e-Learning," is no longer a fad. It is a major trend in educational systems, particularly in North American countries. What about Morocco and the Maghreb region?
Currently, the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide training to young people, students, and professionals is in an embryonic and experimental phase.
The education system is primarily faced, as a priority, with the challenges of "face-to-face" learning.
Nevertheless, Moroccan universities have launched timid initiatives to deploy distance learning programs. This is the case, for example, of the Moroccan Virtual Campus (CVM) project, which reflects the desire of the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Scientific Research to integrate ICTs into national higher education.
Specifically, this ambitious plan aims to promote open and distance learning assisted by ICTs and also to create a space for consultations, exchange, and sharing of resources and pedagogical practices.
Moreover, in this context, the CVM has just launched a call for projects for the creation of a digital resource library on the initiative of Ibn Zohr University in Agadir.
This project aims to help improve learning conditions, particularly through support for face-to-face teaching and support (tutoring) in distance learning.
Specifically, this virtual library under development intends to take stock of existing digital resources within each university institution in the Kingdom and to agree on a strategy for their co-development and the promotion of their use.
At the regional level, the "Coselearn" project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), aims to promote e-learning in several French-speaking African countries, including Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Launched in partnership with Widdoo, the project has successfully mobilized the support of several Maghreb universities.
Distance learning: A cross-border market!
Regardless of local and regional initiatives, many young Maghrebis have taken the initiative to enroll directly in distance learning programs at French, Canadian, and American universities. Several specialties are favored: languages, mathematics, sociology, and psychology…
This growing enthusiasm is explained by the accessibility of programs and the use of the internet and online collaborative work tools in the training process.
Even more interesting, some French institutions allow candidates to take exams in person in Rabat without necessarily having to travel to France. At the same time, participants in these distance learning programs obtain international diplomas, which facilitates the process of equivalence requests and recognition by the Moroccan education system.
It should be recalled that Morocco currently has more than 1.7 million internet subscribers, of which 65% are on mobile internet (3G), and more than 10 million internet users who consume an international bandwidth of 51 gigabits/s.
Published July 8, 2010
Posted online August 30, 2010
zawaya.magharebia.com
Currently, the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide training to young people, students, and professionals is in an embryonic and experimental phase.
The education system is primarily faced, as a priority, with the challenges of "face-to-face" learning.
Nevertheless, Moroccan universities have launched timid initiatives to deploy distance learning programs. This is the case, for example, of the Moroccan Virtual Campus (CVM) project, which reflects the desire of the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Scientific Research to integrate ICTs into national higher education.
Specifically, this ambitious plan aims to promote open and distance learning assisted by ICTs and also to create a space for consultations, exchange, and sharing of resources and pedagogical practices.
Moreover, in this context, the CVM has just launched a call for projects for the creation of a digital resource library on the initiative of Ibn Zohr University in Agadir.
This project aims to help improve learning conditions, particularly through support for face-to-face teaching and support (tutoring) in distance learning.
Specifically, this virtual library under development intends to take stock of existing digital resources within each university institution in the Kingdom and to agree on a strategy for their co-development and the promotion of their use.
At the regional level, the "Coselearn" project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), aims to promote e-learning in several French-speaking African countries, including Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Launched in partnership with Widdoo, the project has successfully mobilized the support of several Maghreb universities.
Distance learning: A cross-border market!
Regardless of local and regional initiatives, many young Maghrebis have taken the initiative to enroll directly in distance learning programs at French, Canadian, and American universities. Several specialties are favored: languages, mathematics, sociology, and psychology…
This growing enthusiasm is explained by the accessibility of programs and the use of the internet and online collaborative work tools in the training process.
Even more interesting, some French institutions allow candidates to take exams in person in Rabat without necessarily having to travel to France. At the same time, participants in these distance learning programs obtain international diplomas, which facilitates the process of equivalence requests and recognition by the Moroccan education system.
It should be recalled that Morocco currently has more than 1.7 million internet subscribers, of which 65% are on mobile internet (3G), and more than 10 million internet users who consume an international bandwidth of 51 gigabits/s.
Published July 8, 2010
Posted online August 30, 2010
zawaya.magharebia.com
