Short term planning: Blended on campus learning
In the short term, the College will adopt an approach of blended learning for all on campus students. Blended Learning is the process of incorporating many different learning styles that can be accomplished through the use of 'blended' virtual and physical resources. A typical example of the delivery method of blended learning would be a combination of ICT based materials and face-to-face sessions used together to present content and establish a learning environment. An instructor can begin a course with a well-structured introductory lesson in the classroom, and then proceed with follow-up materials and discussion online. The learning management system used at ECAE is Blackboard.
The role of the lecturer is critical as this requires a transformation process to that of learning facilitator. Blended learning takes time for both the lecturer and learner to adapt to this relatively new concept.
Faculty will receive support in
- Setting up their Blackboard courses
- Professional development in all aspects of delivering blended and online courses.
Long term planning: Distance/flexible/online learning:
The Distance Learning Unit is responsible for the development and production of curriculum resources for students of distance education in the UAE. The staff in the Distance Learning unit works in close collaboration with staff from the Center for Professional Learning and the Library.
Faculty in this center have extensive experience and expertise in all aspects of face to face, blended and distance course design and writing, project management, desktop publishing, workshop design for online/distance learning support, understanding the pedagogy for distance/flexible/online learning, production of online and audiovisual resources.
When a decision is made to develop new curriculum materials for blended and distance learning, the process begins by meeting with the Dean Academic, for B Ed blended courses and Dean Post Graduate for PGDE and Masters courses for Blended and online courses and the relevant faculty to clarify subject objectives, desired learning outcomes and appropriate delivery mode/s for the particular subject area and student group. Faculties in the center then support the curriculum and resource development for distance learning. They also support the faculty teaching in this mode through ongoing professional development.
Modes of delivery: Courses are delivered through a combination of print materials, Blackboard as Learning Management System World Wide Web, and/or electronic mail and multimedia vodcasts and podcasts.
Library Support to Distance Students
This library service will be available to registered Distance Learners. The options below outline the range of possible library and information resources and services that will be available to students via the College Library.
- Accessing Electronic resources off campus
- Access to Journal Articles from anywhere in the UAE
- Access to Library books
- Access to other libraries
- Distance Learning Service forms and guide
- Enquiry Service
- Improving students' information and research skills through online tutorials
- Literature Searches
- Registering for full membership with the college's library
- variety of resources, avaiable to distance learners
- Study and research days, residential and summer schools as organised by the library
- Visiting the College Library whenever distance students are in town
The Vision of the Centre for Professional Learning
The vision of the Center for Professional Learning is to enhance learning and teaching at ECAE by supporting staff to support students and by providing professional and academic development opportunities and consultancy for staff at all levels. Faculties in the two centers, Center for Professional Learning and Center for Distance/Flexible learning and the Library work closely together to achieve the center’s vision and mission.
Mission of the Centre for Professional Learning
The mission of the CPL is to enhance the quality of student learning and support all lecturers in their teaching role by:
- Providing services and programs to support the educational development activities of individuals and academic units.
- Encouraging policies and initiatives that value and recognize good practice.
- Promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning.
The Library will fully support the Emirates College for Advanced Education in achieving the status as a top research institute by enriching its research resources and by continuing to develop relationships with academics to ensure that the information collection is closely aligned to areas of research interest. The library will also further seek expert advice on teaching and learning from experts on campus and, through reviewing the Library’s current practices ,will implement what-ever is needed in order to enhance the library services.
The aim of the library
The aim of the College Library is to provide user-focused quality services and information collections in support of undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty research, and the general information needs of a diverse community. Consistent with the teaching mission of the College, the library assists students in becoming information competent, critical thinkers, and life-long learners. The College Library provides physical facilities to foster individual and collaborative teaching and learning and to encourage the exchange of ideas.
Vision of the library
The ECAE Library will be a local, regional and national leader in the development, provision and delivery of outstanding information resources and services that are essential to learning and research.
The library will:
- Provide for the information needs of the College and achieve the highest standards in the provision of information resources and services in order to advance learning, teaching and research
- Offer the best possible service and working environment for all users
- Have available an appropriate range of resources and facilities
- Play a central role in the life of the College
Mission of the library
The Library is:
- A source of scholarly information and a vital and dynamic partner in the pursuit of academic excellence and lifelong learning
- The collector and distributor of information and see itself as a collaborator, working interactively with students, faculty and staff to identify their information needs and to provide the information resources and services they require to accomplish their learning and research objectives.
- Available to promote a culture of innovation and flexibility within a commitment to service goals and to professional growth and development
The Curriculum Resources Center (CRC) is a part of the ECAE library. It provides support for the students in the B.Ed and Foundation programs. It will contain a small but constantly increasing collection of education related materials and resources.
Vision of the Curriculum Resource Centre
The CRC is designed to provide learning resources and facilities support that support students as they prepare assignment work in the College and preparing and borrowing material to use during their teaching practice experience.
The Mission of the Curriculum Resource center
The mission of the center is to support the students through-
• Provision of materials to produce learning and teaching materials students can take with them for their teaching practice experience. The Centre will have audio visual equipment which can be booked in advance: overhead projectors, TVs, VCRs, tape recorders, transcribers, DVD players, a CD listening centre, digital cameras and camcorders. Binding machines, laminators, photocopiers, and several computers will also be available for use.
• Accessibility to current resources for primary and secondary school curriculum such as books, curriculum guides, videos, DVD’s, CD's, thematic units, author study kits, science kits, museum kits, and computer software. Most items in the Center will be available for borrowing.