Manar Al-Zubaidi - Baghdad
"Failed education," and "success without compensation." This is how student Zaid Qasim, 21, began his conversation with Al-Jazeera Net when we asked him about his opinion on the e-learning recently followed in educational institutions after the spread of the Corona virus in Baghdad and most of the Iraqi provinces.
Zaid is studying engineering at an Iraqi university, but he rejects e-learning, and considers it a "governmental ploy" to pass the academic stage, and says, "We cannot take advantage of scientific subjects via the Internet, because I did not accept the idea of a computer instead of a professor, and most professors content themselves with publishing lectures, then they disappear, I have many questions in my mind that do not have an answer, and I do not disclose a secret if I say that every day I lose hope in my academic future. "
Pass without passing
Ali Al-Ahmad (19 years) agrees with Zaid on the lack of acceptance of e-learning, and considers that the absence of direct communication between the professor and the student greatly affects the absorption of the scientific subject, as visual, emotional communication and explanatory discussions are absent in the classroom in e-learning; "it kills competition and the spirit of enthusiasm Within us. "
Ali, who is a student in the first stage of the College of Pharmacy, indicates that most of his colleagues did not accept education via the Internet due to the difficulty of understanding the lectures, and that some of the study materials need laboratories and in-depth clarifications, and he believes that this type of education robs the academic material of its scientific value, and that e-learning It may work with human studies, but it is not suitable for scientific and medical specialties.
Al-Ahmad criticizes this type of education by saying that the publication times are not organized, and they are not limited to time, as it allows for cheating, and does not develop students' abilities in researching and exploring information, "Distance learning takes away the scientific mindset", and students cannot commit to a specific time to hear lecture.
safety first
For some parents, e-learning is a "blessing", because they believe that the safety of their children from risks and diseases is a necessity that is not equal to the largest academic degrees. And Doaa Qasim stated that "even if the schools and universities did not stop working, I would have prevented my children from going."
And she continues that "parents who are keen on their children and their scientific future will maintain the safety of their children and their educational level, and this solution is better than postponing the school year; it is a great burden on families with low incomes", and "we must think of others as we think about ourselves."
No control
Abdul Amir Abbas (the guardian of two high school students) says that he tried as much as possible to control his children, and pushed them to learn via the electronic lessons platform, but that was in vain, and continues, "One of them was unable to focus and follow, while the other's eyesight was damaged, Who mainly has eye problems. "
Abbas believes that e-learning is a way to pass this year, and he considers it to drop an assumption no more, and most students lack technical information, and cannot focus on a computer or mobile device, not to mention the weakness of the Internet, which requires a large financial subscription, in addition to interruption Irregular electrical current.
This is what chemistry teacher Ayoub Hassan pointed out, saying that the internet is weak in Iraq in general; the teacher may need to record the lecture (video) first, then upload it to YouTube.
And he continues, "In case the lesson is presented via live broadcast on Facebook, it needs an effective internet with a time limit that suits all of its students numbering between thirty and forty students, which is very difficult and even impossible.
A failed step
Hassan believes that e-learning in Iraq is a "failed step", as it does not depend on the elements that achieve the scientific benefit for students, and does not help teachers in determining the level of students' understanding and the obstacles they face, due to the absence of direct communication within the classroom, the lack of use of brainstorming and other teaching methods, and continues "E-learning can succeed in other countries where the professor and the student have the services and technical knowledge."
Hassan accuses the Ministry of Education of failing and failing in its decisions, as it did not develop plans to face emergency conditions, as it demonstrated that it launched electronic platforms after many months of education was interrupted by the demonstrations, and even the emergence of the Corona virus, criticizing the lack of coordination between the educational and service ministries to provide the necessary means.
Available solution
Alaa Ibrahim (a faculty member at the Heritage College of Al-Qadisiyah University) shows that e-learning is the best option, as it is the only way to communicate with students at the present time.
And Ibrahim has already received training in this type of teaching, and according to his experience with his students, distance education is successful. He says, "I simplify the material and clarify ambiguous matters, then explain it and put out model questions and answers and publish them, and I always put a note in every lecture, and I ask every student To write “Done” if the subject is understood, and devote enough time to answering questions and inquiries.
The free Google Classroom system (used by the Iraqi Ministry of Education to teach students) is characterized by the ease and ease of use, through which questions and assignments can be directed to students individually or collectively, and also allows the professor to take tests and record absences and attendance, according to Ibrahim.