E-Learning
Al-Emran, M., and K. Shaalan,
"Attitudes Towards the Use of Mobile Learning: A Case Study from the Gulf Region",
International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), vol. 9, issue 3, pp. 75-78, 2015.
AbstractIn the last few years, the way we learn has been shifted dramatically from traditional classrooms depending
on printed papers into E-learning depending on digital pages. Mobile learning (M-learning) is a recent technology that has been developed rapidly to deliver E-learning using personal mobile devices without posing any restrictions on time and location. In this work, we investigate students and faculty members’ attitudes towards the use of M-learning in higher educational institutions within two countries in the Gulf Region (Oman & UAE). Two questionnaire surveys have been conducted: one for students and another for faculty members. In these surveys, 383 students and 54 instructors have taken part within the study. An independent sample t-test was performed to examine whether there exist a significant difference among the students’ attitudes and the faculty members’ attitudes towards the use of M-learning with regard to gender and country. Results indicated that students in the UAE were more positive towards the use of M-learning than those in Oman. Moreover, results revealed that 99% of the students own mobile devices, in particular smartphones and tablets, while only 1% has not. Results of this study could help policy makers for better decision making in building the M-learning infrastructure in the higher educational institutions in general and specifically within the Arab Gulf region.
Owayid, A. M., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan,
"Effectiveness of Information Systems Infrastructure and Team Learning in Integrating Knowledge Management and e-Learning Technologies",
The 8th International Conference on Knowledge Management in Organizations, Netherlands, Springer , pp. 557-566, 2014.
Abstract E-learning is an emerging field in the intersection of education learning, and business, and refers to information and education services delivered or improved via Internet services and related technologies. This paper attempts to show how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL) specifically can be of prominent support in the workplace. The model presented in this paper explains the factors or elements of support that facilitate the integration of KM and EL which is characterised by a dynamic alignment of an information systems infrastructure with team learning and flows of knowledge leading to the successful acquisition of knowledge in organisations. This framework offers integrated support and effects on the various medias involved in education systems. The model is a suggestion to improve the teaching and learning process and explains how KM can assist educational consumers in selecting and evaluating EL media. The model is based on an analysis of KM and EL literature and the information search process.
Shaalan, K., M. Al-Mansoori, and H. Tawfik,
"An awareness-raising E-learning approach for children living in a high diabetic population",
Informatics for Health and Social Care, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 81-103, 2014.
Abstract Recent epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence of diabetes worldwide. In United Arab Emirates (UAE), where this study on Emirati children was conducted, over 20% of the population has diabetes. With such a high incidence, there is a need to raise the awareness of the disease in order to reduce the growing number of cases and manage the disease more effectively. This research aims to identify the needs of affected children and proposes a design for an E-learning prototype that can pedagogically raise their awareness and knowledge of the disease. The use of a prototype was chosen in order to validate and refine the usability of the system, and to quickly evaluate user-interface designs without the need for an expensive working model to help refine and develop the system design. The system requirements were identified through a set of interviews with kindergarten teachers, curriculum design experts in UAE, and diabetes nutrition specialists and clinicians. The rationale behind the interview was to identify the optimal age group, describe the appropriate level of the instructional materials and activities, and propose a suitable learning approach that could facilitate and improve diabetes awareness among this age group. The prototype was evaluated by children, teachers, parents (or guardians) and nutrition specialists. We followed a three-stage software development based on a user-informed approach model for stepwise refinement that ranged from prototype to final design. The evaluation results indicate that the proposed computer-supported learning approach can generate positive learning and behavior in children while reducing the time needed to complete awareness tasks when compared to traditional methods; thus making learning more engaging and allowing children to learn at their own pace.
Owayid, A., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan,
"The Effect of Information Systems Infrastructure and Staff Involvement in the Integration of Knowledge Management and E- Learning Technologies in Academic Institutions",
The Cambridge Business & Economics Conference (CBEC 2013), Cambridge, UK, 2013.
Abstract Recently, E-learning has emerged as modern field with in the cooperation of education and business sectors by means of information, based-Internet services, and education services that are delivered or improved. This paper is an attempt to highlight how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL), specifically, can be of prominent support in the workplace.
The purpose of the paper is to develop a model that is composed of a range of components and factors that affect integration between knowledge management and e-learning. It is characterised by dynamic alignment between information systems infrastructure, staff involvement and the flows of knowledge towards the success of knowledge acquisition in academic institutions.
The developed model will contribute to offer support to the process of integrating e-learning and knowledge management. In addition, the suggested model will present certain suggestions to improve the teaching learning process and shows how KM provides successful help for educational consumers in selecting and evaluating e-learning technologies. The model is based on analysis of KM and e-learning literature and the information of this study.
Owayid, A. M., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan,
"Strategic Change in Knowledge Management and E-Learning: Enhancing Workplace Learning",
European Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 100, issue 2, pp. 230-240, 2013.
Abstract E-learning is an emerging field in the intersection of education learning, and business, referring to delivered information and education services or improved via Internet services and related technologies. The paper is an attempt to show how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL) specifically can be of prominent support in the workplace. Aligning firm as a whole to a continually changing environment as far as learning and innovation are concerned is a challenge. The paper posits that KM consists of enablers such as Information systems infrastructure, Team working, Employees involvement, Top management leadership and commitment, and Employee empowerment that are critical to the success of a knowledge-based organization.
The presented model in this paper integrates Knowledge management and elearning into adaptable framework that offers integrated support as well as effect on various Medias involved in the education systems. The model is a suggestion to improve teaching and learning process and how KM adds a successful help for educational consumers in selecting and evaluating e-learning media. The model is based on an analysis of KM and elearning literature and the information search process.
Al-Mansoori, M., K. Shaalan, and H. Tawfik,
"Using E-learning for helping children with diabetes",
The 7th International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology (Innovations’11), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, pp. 145-149, 26 April, 2011.
Abstract Diabetes is a common and costly condition disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have shown remarkable increases in diabetes during the last decade. This has attracted many researchers and doctors to investigate e-learning technologies as a way of assisting people
with diabetes. However very little work exist that focus on educating children to adopt healthy lifestyle. As a result, this research work aims to create awareness of diabetes among children, and thereby, ultimately contribute to reducing the growing rate of diabetes. This paper presents an investigation into E-Learning systems and how it can help people with diabetes, especially when it comes to children who are largely unaware and poorly informed about the menace of the disease. This research addresses children’ needs expectations, and proposes a design of an E-Learning prototype that can raise their awareness and knowledge in order to help reduce the effects of this disease on children.
Shaalan, K., M. Al-Mansoori, H. Tawfik, and A. - H. Mohamed,
"Evaluation of an E-Learning Diabetes Awareness Prototype",
The International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering (DeSE’11), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7 December, 2011.
Abstract E-Learning has been increasingly used as a medium for promoting health awareness with successful outcomes. This paper reports on the design and evaluation of prototype that uses the potential of E-Learning to help children with diabetes. The pedagogical principle of the proposed prototype is raising the diabetes awareness among young children. The prototype evaluation results indicated that computer-based learning can generate positive learning and motivational attitudes in children. Children who were educated through the prototype were able to complete awareness tasks faster than those who were educated using traditional methods. The prototype has been found makes learning more fun, and allows children to learn at their own pace.
