Saudi Arabia is taking significant strides to spread the culture of eLearning among faculty members and students, as part of an overall plan to boost the Kingdom's academic development. In line with this, the National Center for eLearning and Distance Learning, under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has organized the first “International Conference on eLearning and Distance Learning”, which is currently on its second day at the Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh. Participating as an exhibitor at the three-day conference, Edutech Middle East, a leading provider of technology-enabled information and learning solutions, is highlighting various solutions under the theme “digital learning for 21st century classrooms.” The conference is a continuation of the efforts being undertaken by the Ministry to leverage technological developments, with aims to create education that supports orientation to the knowledge economy. By exploring modern trends in training based on eLearning and distance learning and their applications, the Ministry and the entire Saudi academic community have identified solutions consistent with the requirements of the 21st century digital learning from global companies such as Edutech. “This excellent initiative by National Center for eLearning and Distance Learning, through the support of the Ministry of Higher Education, underlines the Kingdom's seriousness in leveraging the advances made in eLearning technologies for the benefit of students, teachers and in effect Saudi's future workforce,” said ASF Karim, CEO, Edutech. “Our role in this massive movement is to provide educational institutions with the appropriate tools and solutions to help them build a robust structure for both eLearning and distance learning.” Spearheading Edutech's portfolio of 21st century solutions is the “live distance learning system”, which expands the boundaries of the traditional classroom by adding live interaction to asynchronous distance learning, and its “learning platform,” which enables colleges to post courses online and provide information to students about the courses and programs offered across colleges. In addition, the “digital language laboratory” links all computers in a computer-equipped lab and allows teachers to employ authentic multimedia materials to present new concepts using the Internet, computer programs, documents or live presentations. Furthermore, specialized English language content promotes a listening-based, visually supported approach to teaching and learning the language, while the “online tests and assessments tool” integrates technology into the process of creating questions and organising them into exams, quizzes, tests or surveys. By offering these solutions, Edutech aims to cultivate “21st century skills” in students, including the utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) to gather and assess information, collaborate, innovate, think critically and solve problems, which will empower them to remain competitive in an increasingly global, knowledge-based economy. The integration of all these solutions within what could be called as a 21st century classroom will not only make learning more engaging, interactive and relevant, but will also afford administrators to implement a highly cost effective solution. “The various tools and technologies that we offer have been designed to help extend educational opportunities.” __
