Dubai: Dr Tayeb A. Kamali, former vice-chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, is a member of the board of directors at The Boston Initiative, the inspiration behind eTutorHome. For more than two decades, Dr Kamali has been at the forefront of key academic, training and research programmes in the UAE and the Middle East.
He shared some of his thoughts on the concept of e-learning with Gulf News. Following are excerpts:
How important is e-learning in the contemporary world?
DR TAYEB A. KAMALI: Online learning or e-learning has opened doors to anytime anywhere learning in ways few would have imagined even a few years ago. Continuing advances in technology and seamless access to internet have created amazing new platforms for students to connect with their tutors. These platforms are increasingly becoming the medium of choice for many as they provide an excellent opportunity to tailor the learning experience that takes into account their learning styles and schedule while providing continuous feedback.
Will traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms become a thing of the past as e-learning proliferates?
Research has shown that e-learning best complements brick-and-mortar classrooms rather than replace them entirely. The blended-learning model is designed to leverage multiple resources, including a mix of face-to-face interaction with tutors, alongside online boards and demonstration videos.
To what extent can UAE students gain from e-learning?
As a member of the board at The Boston Initiative (TBI), I am delighted with the interest that the TBI Online Tutoring platform, eTutorHome, has received from major institutions around the world. TBI is focused on hiring experienced teachers from across the globe that hold key competencies to provide an engaging and student-centred environment, in which interaction, collaboration and communication are promoted.
