Management Role of Al-Quds Open University in Leading Effective Distance Learning Programs: An Evaluation of QOU Experience in Blended Learning

Öz

Al Quds Open University has actually employed blended learning since 2007; it is becoming the basis for much of today’s academic teaching. Therefore, this paper aimed at figuring out the extent that QOU managed distance learning programs effectively. The study reported here focused on the following factors: Vision and plans, quality assurance, curriculum, staff-training/support, and student-training/support. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered online to the QOU instructors who were involved in blended learning teaching experience. Researchers claimed that QOU administration has applied the above mentioned factors effectively and efficiently in planning distance learning courses. It was obvious that QOU, focusing mainly high quality, has paid high attention to blended learning courses and invested in its training staff in order to achieve excellence in teaching and learning. However, the participants believed that the courses concerning the development of instructor skills and competencies were not sufficient enough and there was a clear need to revise the quality and quantity of such courses.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Blended learning, Distance learning, Online learning, Open learning

Kaynakça

1. Al-Mutawa, A. (1997). Evaluation of EFL primary school teachers’ competencies in Kuwait, Evaluation & Research in Education, 11(1), 38-52.
2. Bates, A. W. (2000). Managing technological change: Strategies for college and university leaders. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
3. Bersin, J. (2003). Blended learning: Selecting the right media. How do you decide which media to use? Courseware? PowerPoint? Webinars? Job Aids? Which to use when? Retrieved 10 January 2003 from http://www.bersin.com/tips_techniques/selecting_media.htm
4. Collis, B. & Moonen, J. (2001). Flexible learning in a digital world: Experiences and expectations. London: Kogan Page.
5. Driscoll, M. (2002). Blended learning: Let’s get beyond the hype. IBM Mindspan. Retrieved 10 May 2003 from http://www.elearningmag.com/elearning/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=11755 [10th May, 2003]
6. Drucker, P. F. (1998). The age of social transformation. In G. R. Hickman (Ed.), Leading organizations: Perspectives for a new era (p. 538-556). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
7. Fahmy, J. et al. (1992). Planning a TEFL education program: Policies, perspectives and promise. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 369 281).
8. Garrison, D. R. (2003). Blended approaches to teaching and learning: A position paper (Unpublished paper). University of Calgary, Canada.

9. Garrison, R. & Vaughan, N. (2007). Blended learning in higher education: Framework, principles, and guidelines. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.
10. Green, K. C. (1999). When wishes come true: Colleges and the convergence of access, lifelong learning, and technology. Change, March/April. 11 – 15.
11. Hall, J. (1995). The revolution in electronic technology and the modern university: The convergence of means. In Y. Evans & D. Nation (Eds.), Opening education: Policies and practices from open and distance education. New York: Routledge.
12. Hamayil, M. (2010). Al-Quds Open University experience in blended learning. Retrieved August 15, 2010 from http://tec.alaqsa.edu.ps/conference/?page=confsch
13. Hodali, I. & Amro, I. (2004). The implementation of e-learning in Al-Quds Open University. Available at: http://www.etpe.gr/files/proceedings/filessyn/B327-332.pdf
14. Julian, E. H. & Boone, C. (2003). Blended learning solutions. Improving the way companies manage intellectual capital. An IDC White paper. Retrieved 11 June 2003 from http://nz.sun.com/training/enterprise/elp/papers/pdf/final_IDC_SES_6_22_01.pdf
15. Kovel-Jarboe, P. (1997). From the margin to the mainstream: State-level policy and planning for distance education. New Directions for Community Colleges, 99, 23-32.
16. Lape, D. H. & Hart, P. K. (1997). Changing the way we teach by changing the college: Leading the way together. New Directions for Community Colleges, 99, 15 – 22.
17. Marsh, J. (2002). How to design effective blended learning (Technical report). Brand-Hall.com.
18. Matheos, K., Daniel, K., McCalla, G. I. (2005). Dimensions for blended learning technology: Learners’ perspectives. Journal of Learning Design, 1(1), 56-76.
19. Matheos, K., MacDonald, M., McLean, C., Luterbach, B., Baidoun, S., & Nakashhian, S. (2007). A comprehensive evaluation of Al-Quds Open University. Retrieved 1 July 2009 from http://www.qou.edu/homePage/english/manitobaReport/qouFullReport.pdf
20. Matheos, K., Rogoza, C., Hamayil, M. (2009) Leapfrogging across generations of open and distance learning at Al-Quds Open University: A Case Study. Available at: http://www.westga.edu/ ~distance/ojdla/winter124/matheos124.html
21. McGee, A. & G. Phelan, (2004). Needs analysis of pre-service EFL teachers in the United Arab Emirates. Proceedings of the 9th TESOL Arabia Conference (pp. 400- 415).
22. Rovai, A.P. & Jordan, H.M. (2004). Blended learning and sense of community: A comparative analysis with traditional and fully online graduate courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. Retrieved 25 June 2005 from http://www.irrodl.org/ content/v5.2/rovai-jordan.html
23. Singh, H. (2003). Building effective blended learning programs. Issue of Educational Technology, 43(6), 51-54
24. Singh, H. & Reed, C. (2001). Achieving success with blended learning. Washing ton, DC: American Society for Training and Development.
25. Tichy, N. M. & Devanna, M. A. (1986). The transformational leader. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
26. Troha, F.J. (2002) Bulletproof instructional design: Model for blended learning. Journal of United States Distance Learning Association, 15(5). Retrieved 11 November 2003 from http:// www.usdla.org/html/journal/MAY02_Issue/article03.html
27. UNESCO. (2010). Avicenna page. Retrieved 15 August 2010 from http://pleiad.unesco.org/portal/ index.html?articl=0
28. Valiathan, P. (2002). Blended learning models. ASTD’s Online Magazine. Retrieved 21 May 2003 from: http://www.learningcircuits.com/2002/aug2002/valiathan.html
29. Correspondence: Dr. Fathallah Ghanem, Lecturer, Al-Quds Open University, Palestine