When Covid-19 received pandemic status across the globe, one of the key sectors affected was education. Concerns included adopting strategies to continue courses, while safeguarding the health and well-being of students. This further triggered a heightened approach towards e-learning programmes to ensure no disruption to the academic years, notably for those continuing their semesters in the UAE.
Aiding this digital transition and adding value to remote education is technology giant HP Inc., which recently announced the launch of BeOnline programme in collaboration with Classera, a leader in learning management systems, and Mirai, a learning innovations group that focuses on learning strategy and digital pedagogy.
Need of the hour
There is an imminent need for remote learning ecosystems in the current situation, with the right set of tools to facilitate learning processes to students. Furthermore, additional expenses could further delay the integration of learning resources, considering the challenging financial environment faced by various businesses and operations.
But this is where BeOnline steps in, with a fully-fledged virtual learning platform that is aligned with the directives of regional governments to establish distance learning modes. With the BeOnline programme, education institutions can access an integrated base with comprehensive options to host remote classrooms, free of cost. “Families and the education sector in the Middle East have faced severe disruption with schools and universities in most countries being partially or fully closed for an extended period. This program is designed to help schools and universities to quickly adopt distance learning. Today, technology can support new styles of learning. PCs and tools designed for education can offer students flexibility of time, place, and pace of learning, whether in or out of the classroom, or in a blend of environments. Technology can not only engage students and improve learning outcomes, but also help to equip them with the skills they need for the future,” said Mathew Thomas, Vice-President and Managing Director, Middle East, HP Inc.
Enhanced teaching modes
HP Inc., in particular, offers IT expertise on the infrastructure, complemented by Mirai’s online education consultancy and Classera’s learning management solutions. The services aim to help institutions make a smooth transition to digital teaching modes by the end of the academic year, without having to worry about the costs. Teachers and faculty can embrace convenience while making the shift from traditional classrooms to online sessions, with the inclusion of course plans, assignment submissions, marking attendance, student assessment and others.
In this case, HP is set to enhance the virtual offering by giving education providers access to the HP Life programme, aside from IT consultancy. The online program features a set of 32 modules centred on business and technical skills for young students, complete with the option to study at their own pace. Upon course completion, students are granted certificates, which is equivalent to standard sessions.
Collaborative ventures
Speaking about the initiative, Mohammad Almadani, CEO of Classera Inc. said: “Governments go above and beyond to minimise the disruption of the education sector that is currently being felt across many countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ensuring a smooth transition towards establishing a fully-fledged and effective distance learning environment, Classera is excited to partner with HP and Mirai to launch the BeOnline programme. Classera will leverage its experience with virtual schools and nationwide deployments to provide a special version of Class Light Learning Management System that can be used for managing, administrating and delivering course content and educational materials, with online collaboration, electronic assignments and instant reporting. This will ensure students are continuing and progressing with their studies in this turbulent period.”
As one of the first-of-its-kind in the MENA region, Mirai seeks to support HP’s initiative through its digital pedagogy advisory service and help establish a robust distance learning programme. “As online learning continues in most communities, ensuring that students advance in their learning progression during this period and beyond is paramount. We are delighted to join forces with HP and Classera to launch the BeOnline initiative. Mirai will provide guidance on digital pedagogy to support schools in teaching, learning, digitisation, and quality assurance to enable the implementation of a fully-integrated online learning programme,” said Christine Nasserghodsi, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Mirai Partners.
In addition, dedicated in-country HP Channel Partners will assist in ensuring schools’ IT infrastructure is ready for the new era of learning and teaching.
BeOnline is part of HP’s commitment to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people globally by 2025. It aims to run focused tutor-oriented programmes aligned with its education and sustainability goals, namely Classroom of the Future, HP Learning Studios, Digital School Awards, HP LIFE and HP Teaching Fellows.
© Khaleej Times
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