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Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

A Unique Learning Approach in Information Technology

A Unique Learning Approach in Information Technology
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Author(s): Anil Sharma (United Arab Emirates University, UAE), Khalifa Ali Alsuwaidi (United Arab Emirates University, UAE), Hussein Chehime (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)and Stephen Boylan (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 6
Source title: Managing Modern Organizations Through Information Technology
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-822-2.ch136
ISBN13: 9781616921293
EISBN13: 9781466665354

Abstract

This paper discusses the various issues and factors involved in planning and implementing of a unique learning approach to Information Technology (IT) in University General Requirements Unit (UGRU) of United Arab Emirates (UAE) University. The new learning approach challenges some of the existing hypotheses and suggests useful indicators to right path for the future. The planning and implementation scheme is analyzed. The training program, teaching style and classroom management processes were evaluated. The study also highlighted the university management, faculty members and students’ viewpoints on the introduction of this new method of learning in IT program. The study showed that UAE University has successfully integrated the new learning approach into the UGRU’s IT curriculum replacing a traditional style of learning IT with a student-centered learning environment rich in collaborative activities. The students involved in the IT Academic Excellence Program (AEP) demonstrated conclusively that they could learn IT successfully, in a collaborative, student-centered, problem orientated environment. In fact, they proved that they could be asked to work at a higher level in this manner and achieve more. New teaching and learning styles and strategies with a blending of E-Learning and distant education paradigm produce value based higher level IT education for students of Arab universities in particular and global universities in general. It will lead us to a new future horizon.

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