Zawaya

Schools without walls

By: Monia Ferjani

With the growing information revolution and the increasing amount of information and data transferred and exchanged throughout the world, it has become impossible for any individual to fully master even a small part of any scientific discipline. And with the indefinite proliferation of the use of the Internet, the idea of distance education arose to take advantage of the tremendous potential of contemporary technology in establishing electronic schools and universities.

Distance learning has been applied for many years in the West in order to provide students in remote locations with alternative educational means, ranging from correspondence courses to radio and audio conferencing; and from educational TV to multimedia courses based on the computer.

The growth and development of computer technology and distance communication infrastructures resulted in a new model of distance learning online. In light of the rapid technological changes and current shifts in the market conditions, the educational system in the Maghreb is facing a challenge regarding the need to provide additional educational opportunities without requiring additional budgets.

Therefore, attention started to be directed towards developing distance education programs. Distance education initially applies when a physical distance is separating the teacher and student/students during the educational process; and technological means are thus used, such as audio, audio and video, information, and printed materials. The Internet plays a crucial role in filling the gap between both parts in terms of giving instructions.

These programs offer Maghreb people new opportunities for education at various levels, and reach the less fortunate be it in terms of time, distance or physical disability. Not to mention that these programs help improve the knowledge of workers while they are in their workplaces.

Internet-based education has many advantages compared to traditional programs, and will thus be able to make a difference in the educational landscape in the Maghreb countries.

This kind of education will provide creative learning options to offer knowledge to students who cannot attend traditional education classes due to distance and work. Students will shape their learning processes, choosing from the available educational alternatives the materials that suit best their interests and levels of knowledge. This will allow students to learn following their own paces and intellectual abilities, and will lead to the customization of their educational processes. Communication and collaborative learning will be enhanced among students even outside the borders of the Maghreb region, through e-mail and online boards where students can connect with each other and with their teachers, to engage in direct discussions.

All this will increase Internet knowledge among Maghreb people, and will help them acquire information technology skills that will help them throughout their careers. E-Learning will also enhance their self-confidence, train them on cooperation, interaction and participation; teach them critical thinking and how to deal with and solve complex problems; as well as help them produce information, and incite them to pursue erudition and research. This is the generation that will be able to face the challenges of the third millennium.