UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

04/01/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2021 02:32

“On the journey to e-learning at higher education level with a Master Trainer supported by UNESCO”

Amman - UNESCO interviewed Professor Wafa Alkhadra to learn more about her experience in education and her e-learning journey, in particular her views on the current challenges that COVID-19 poses for education, as well as her experience in the e-learning capacity development programme offered by UNESCO where she was certified as a Master Trainer in e-learning.

Professor Alkhadra* is currently working at the American University of Madaba (AUM). When asked about the capacity development programme she participated in, Professor Alkhadra said that it has allowed her to use a variety of learning methodologies that compliment her teaching approach. On the impact of higher education, she also added: 'Higher education investment is worthy, and the impact is significant on society; it will help end violence and poverty. The development programmes empower people to work on education or social issues. After attending this course offered by UNESCO, I was optimistic because training approach was effective'.

As a direct response to the impact of the COVID-19 on the education system in Jordan, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), UNESCO and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), launched the initiative 'Strengthening National Capacities to Develop and Deliver Quality E-learning in Higher Education Institutions in Jordan' in September 2020. Through this partnership, the aim was to support the previous and on-going efforts of the Government of Jordan to integrate e-learning into the higher education system. Within this project, a capacity development training programme on e-learning was conducted to qualify and train teaching staff at the higher education level. UNESCO supported the design and implementation of the e-learning capacity development programme that comprised of 12 weekly live training sessions offered to 23 public and private universities in Jordan.

Professor Alkhadra, shared the challenges and obstacles she faced with her students utilising digital tools during COVID-19, and the shift to e-learning in higher education institutions:

'Challenges and obstacles were there, but it happened unexpectedly. When we talk about obstacles, we see variations that differentiate one type of education to another. There is a drastic transformation from face-to-face education to e-learning, and from full reliance on traditional education to a complete transformation to the e-learning dynamic. However all this can vary from a university to another. When the COVID- 19 pandemic hit, there were various issues, including as the lack of infrastructure. The mental health and social well-being of our students were affected. Therefore, I enforced the camera-on policy and required students to dress up for classes to keep them engaging and to own their education process'.

Through the UNESCO capacity development programme, master trainers have been equipped to design, manage and deliver e-learning programmes at the higher education level, and enable them to cascade the training to other peers at their respective higher education institutions.

After Professor Alkhadra successfully completed the capacity development programme, she shared her experience and how she benefited from the course: 'I had some gaps before this course, theoretical, technical, and conceptual gaps. This course was the glue that held the gaps together. I went over the diverse resources provided, and I was able to incorporate them in my classroom lessons. It was a valuable opportunity for me, and it helped me to learn and grow as an educator. The course also provided guidance through online resources and tools on how to address the inclusion and equity among students'

UNESCO, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on ensuring quality education, is supporting the Government of Jordan in ensuring equitable continuity of education. This technical support is fully aligned with different national policies and strategies such as the National Strategic Plan on Higher Education (2019-2021), especially enhancing learning innovation at higher education institutions and the National Strategy for Human Resource Development (2016-2025). In particular, UNESCO through its partnership with the MoHESR and GIZ focused on the following priority areas: 'Raise the standards of higher education teaching and learning to those expected from the best modern universities' and 'Integrate technology in higher education to raise quality and relevance of educational outputs'. Furthermore, it also supported the newly developed Action Plan to Integrate E-Learning into Higher Education System in Jordan 2021-2023.

* Professor Alkhadra is also a member of the National Council for Human Rights, a member of the Curriculum Development Council and former Dean at Al Ahlia University.

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