Collaborative Trends in Higher Education

• Main Authors: Parwaiz Karamat, Krassie Petrova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics 2009-04-01
• Series: Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
• Subjects: Open And Distance Learning; Internet-Based Learning; Online Education; Global Learning; World Wide Web,; Teacher Role
• Online Access: http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/CV$/sci/pdfs/ZE531UV.pdf

The emerging information and communications technologies (ICT) have the potential to strengthen education and make universities more responsive to the needs of their students. The emergence and the proliferation of models for online and flexible learning initiated a process of convergence between the traditionally distinct and separate distance education and faceto- face education as universities are becoming increasingly enabled to collaborate and develop innovative teaching initiatives. This paper explores some of the ways in which institutions can use technological progress to their best advantage and how they can improve the horizontal bonds between them by adapting and implementing Internet based technologies based on the premise that as distance no longer determines the cost of communicating electronically, common interests and experience, and shared pursuits rather than proximity bind stakeholders together. Finally the ways in which the role of the teacher is changing from that of a subject expert to that of a facilitator and counsellor who uses the World Wide Web and high-speed/ high-capacity networks as a vehicle to perform are considered with a focus on how the improved new technologies can be used to support the common interests, experience and academic objectives in different institutions, and to contribute to the creation of a global learning environment.