Abstract:
The projection of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has begun to have its impact in Iran. The benefits gained from ICT are widely accepted and the Iranian government is encouraging institutions for adopting ICT practices. E-learning is an important branch of ICT which has attracted the attention of many people, especially those in the educational and academic sector. However, e-learning requires a great deal of vigilance compared with other ICT branches such as for example, e-business. This paper reviews the main prospects for e-learning and defines certain aspects for its implementation in Iran, offering some suggestions for the future.
Machine summary:
IM PLEMENTATION ASPECTS: NATIONAL OR LOCAL E-LEARNING IN IRAN The higher education system in Iran is operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (M SRT) providing the same academic and research guidelines and standards.
A wide range of higher education institutes around the globe have either implemented their own institutional online plattorm, or use WebCT, [ 10] Blackboard [2] and other e-learning system prtividers.
The MSRT should use its power and status as the umbrella organization for higher education in Iran and should invite potential academics, ICT experts and e-learning developers to offer their views, plans and designs for implementation of e-learning.
PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS: COURSEWARE DESIGN AND DELIVERY One of the key differences between classroom learning and electronic learning is that e- learning, like other forms of distance learning, involves a separation between creation of content, presentation of content and support for the learners.
ACADEMICS WHO UNDERSTAND E-LEARNING The shift from classroom learning to electronic learning requires new teaching skills and processes in order to create appropriate teaching materials and to support the learners.
STATE OF THE ART COURSEWARE DESIGN PROCESS AND TOOLS Traditionally, the teachers of classroom courses in higher education have each created material in an individual style that may not be easy for others to present.
This means that the designers of e-learning material need to re-examine the pedagogical principles upon which their courses are based in the light of the delivery mechanisms that they will use.