Educational bodies rely on smart means today, in light of the challenge of the "Covid 19" virus, through the Internet platform, in great measure, and at an unprecedented pace, as the term "distance education" has become a common definition among members of society.
However, many questions have been asked about the mechanism of distance education, and its effects in the short and long term. For example, will the distance education system be a starting step towards a new and different educational system, including the flexibility required to provide an element of sustainability and continuity to overcome any emergency conditions in the future? On the other hand, is it possible that this digital system has negative effects on the formation of the student's societal personality, and the formation of the required societal skills besides the academic curriculum in his character?
In my opinion, realism may be the most appropriate word to answer these questions, as the infrastructure system as a whole in terms of facilities, such as buildings and roads, or services, such as education and health, its structure must include business thought and culture to avoid economic and developmental damages that always come in parallel For natural disasters, such as epidemics.
Therefore, the real challenge is not about the idea of distance education, because it is a necessary reality, sooner or later, but rather the challenge lies in the method and mechanism of presentation that must take into account the social and cultural factors, which will contribute to the success of the distance education system if it is employed correctly.
The blended learning system may be a good start and strategy suitable for the coming academic year, as this system is distinguished by its use of a mix of interactive online resources and in offline mode with pre-installed applications, which are in line with the curriculum that can be used as a guide for teaching and home education .
As for university education and graduate studies, many universities all over the world have faced many troubles, not only in the teaching component, but also in the financial system and structure as a whole, which includes cash flow, conferences, and the stability of faculty, and as a result of the cause of 19 », a major economic loss for universities that depend mainly on foreign students, and the result was that many universities around the world suspended the student admission process.
He has disagreed with the solution to stopping the admission process, because it does not match the methodology and ambition of the Emirates, which sees investment in people as the most important investment, and a permanent implementation strategy, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we must resort to the element of innovation, think outside the box, and offer immediate and appropriate solutions, consistent with the resources and data of the current situation. For example, digital lectures and conferences have become the appropriate alternative to ensure the smooth agenda of universities, to move the wheel of productivity as much as possible, and to achieve the desired goals previously set in the annual academic plan for each university. Also, many universities have resorted to providing digital courses as a new source of income, which contributes to moving the economic wheel of the university budget.
Academic researcher at New York University Abu Dhabi