E-Learning Course and Its Benefits in Society
The International Academy Institute for Training, in partnership with the Social Development Center in Medina, presented a course titled "E-Learning and Its Benefits in Society" This will take place on Friday, the 11th of Ramadan in the year 1442 AH at 11 PM, and the course was given by the instructor: Najla Mohammed Abdulrahman Batarfi, a chemistry teacher and author of ten diverse books and a member of the Literary Cultural Club in Jeddah, and the media presenter of the course was: Hattaf Tarabishi via Zoom application (zoom) and live broadcast on YouTube by the ACADEMION International Training Institute.
Instructor Batarfi pointed out at the beginning of the course that e-learning is a product of the 19th century and was known as correspondence education, which consisted of courses after high school. London was the first country where e-learning appeared during the reign of Queen Victoria. After that, e-learning spread and was called distance education or educational technology. The trainer also mentioned the difference between e-learning and traditional education.
The trainer discussed the reasons for using e-learning, enumerated its benefits, and answered the question that may arise: Which is better in education, e-learning or traditional education? Each type has its advantages and disadvantages; traditional education requires students to attend the study location, while e-learning does not require that, allowing everyone to study from anywhere in the world without the hassle of attendance and through various computer devices. There are those who prefer traditional education and those who prefer e-learning.
The trainer also explained the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning, noting that its advantages are numerous alongside its very few drawbacks. She highlighted the importance of e-learning in light of the Corona pandemic and how e-learning managed to solve that dilemma and meet everyone's educational needs. It proved its success and superiority during this phase, and the Ministry of Education was able to successfully implement remote education through its various platforms. The ministry also provided computers to needy families to encourage them to continue their education despite the difficult circumstances of the pandemic. Thus, e-learning triumphed and proved its success across all educational stages, and everyone recognized the importance of e-learning in our present age.
The trainer clarified the importance of e-learning in education, development, and education through multiple courses in all fields for all levels, ages, and genders. The Islamic religion has also emphasized the importance of knowledge and education in many Quranic texts and Hadiths, as Allah Almighty said: (Indeed, the scholars among His servants fear Allah.), and He said: (And say, 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.').
After the course, the electronic newspaper Oyun Al-Madina spoke with instructor Najla Batarfi, who mentioned: E-learning or distance education is a type of modern education used in our present time and relies on computers. Its importance emerged in 2020 amid the spread of the Corona pandemic worldwide and was one of the most important precautionary measures to prevent gatherings and work to prevent the spread of the virus. We may not be able to do without it even after the pandemic ends, in line with modern technology and the use of computers in education. There were private schools that applied these techniques in distance education before the pandemic. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince for their kind gesture in distributing computers for free to families who cannot provide devices for their children, and for the success of the educational process under their generous guidance. I extend special thanks to ACADEMION International Institute for Training and to Mr. Mishal Al-Mahlawi and those in charge of this institution for providing these distinguished courses, and I wish them progress towards the best.