The Faculty of Languages and Translation's (FLT) E-Learning Unit had a very busy semester. Under the supervision of Dean, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and direction of E-Learning Supervisor, Mohsin Khan, the unit rolled out and implemented the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS), which has been a great benefit to our students. See article: "New Textbooks Are Key to 'Unlocking' the Potential of Our Students".
This system is highly flexible. It allows and encourages the learners to interact with one another, their teachers, and a host of online content outside of the classroom. CLMS was an enormous undertaking, and naturally, there were some growing pains. However, the system is highly capable and useful. Approximately 9,000 ELC students and 160 teachers at all university campuses were given access to the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS).
Given the size and scope of CLMS, quality assurance of course content is a high priority. The publishers take great pains to assure that the content is useful and appropriate for our students and have systems of quality management that drive continuous improvement. King Khalid University also has a quality assurance framework in place to ensure optimal learning outcomes and continuous improvement. The university utilizes the Quality Matters (QM) methodology for many academic and support functions.
QM is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of online educational programs. The program started with a small consortium of colleges and universities in the United States, and has grown to more than a thousand institutional subscribers worldwide. To date, QM has certified more than five thousand online courses and has provided professional development resources for nearly 50,000 teachers.
King Khalid University was the first QM subscriber in the Kingdom and has several certified courses in various curricula. KKU has won many accolades and awards for its QM efforts and course content. Our university’s QM Program serves as a model for other educational institutions throughout the MENA region. The university encourages the development of additional e-learning courses to serve our students and the community better. A QM certified course rubric must satisfy 43 international standards based on the following 8 design criteria:
- Course Overview and Introduction
- Learning Objectives (Competencies)
- Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
- Course Technology
- Learner Support
- Accessibility and Usability
"I hope that all FLT faculty members will get involved with e-Learning to benefit our students. If you have any questions, please contact me by sending an email to mokhan@kku.edu.sa," said Khan.
The FLT E-Learning Unit conducted numerous programs for both students and faculty. These programs are designed to enhance learning outcomes for the students and further developing faculty skills. Some of this year’s programs included:
- E-Learning Workshops for Students;
- E-Learning Practitioner Course for all University Teachers;
- E-Learning Campaign;
- Virtual Classroom (University-Wide Teacher Workshop);
- E-Learning Orientation for New Faculty Members of the University;
- Introduction to the Blackboard With Special Reference to the QM Rubric (University-Wide Teacher Training Workshop).
The e-Learning Unit also has a busy calendar for the upcoming academic year. The unit has planned a suite of programs that will further benefit existing students, attract new students, and help prepare our faculty members to better serve the university and the community. Some of these programs include:
- Implementation of the QM program in EFL Teaching;
- E-Learning Campaign;
- E-Learning Day;
- Virtual Classroom Workshop;
- Student Training Workshop;
- Teacher Training Workshop;
- New Trends in e-Learning Workshop;
- Online Course Design;
- QM Alignment Concept Workshop;
- Online Interaction Workshop.
The Faculty of Languages and Translation is expanding its educational resources to serve more members of the community, and is committed to continuous improvement in all academic programs. E-learning is a vital component of both objectives and a vital tool for educational development at the university and other educational institutions throughout the Kingdom.
Date: 5-27-2019
Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation