The experience about the Pilot Course at WUC of Tirana by Sindi Seiti, a student of Economics

"The pilot course offered at Wisdom University College was very interesting for me as a student of Master of Science in Business Administration at Wisdom University College, and this course served me a lot to be professionally trained. All the professors made it easier for us to understand the subject through the materials they had prepared and the examples, after completing this course I am well informed on business cultures".

My course task was on:

DISTANCE LEARNING I think it is already accepted, that technology is in itself a bridge to learning, more than a kind of destination, and that the main factor for the introduction of new tools in learning is the involvement of an excellent teacher. Using personal computers in schools until a few years ago seemed like a distant dream. In 2005, in all schools of our country, Albania, there were 920 computers, while at the end of 2012 this number reached 24 125, or in other words, from 0.13 computers per student in 2005, today we have 4, 65, or even more, computers for students. Likewise, continuing with the logic of numbers we can mention the extent of the internet and its speed. In conclusion, In a short time, the computer and the Internet are making the biggest difference in schools and, as a result, in the development of students and young people. Distance learning, as a new method of learning, realized through communication technology, to educate people located in different countries. Also, the analysis presents the methods of distance education and the degree of applicability, making comparisons with different European countries. In addition to assessing the situation regarding distance learning, in our schools and in various European countries, this analysis also describes the role of technology for the application of distance learning. The presented analysis can be considered as an attempt to inform about distance learning, creating opportunities for implementation in schools and the importance of teaching and learning. The chosen method is research through the collection of information from a number of existing reports, which present the use of information and communication technologies in different European countries, as tools for organizing distance learning and e-learning, as well as how to integrate in the process of teaching and learning.

Concepts of distance learning

Distance learning is a form of education, which is realized through modern communication technologies, in order to teach students located in different places and distances - outside the traditional learning environment (classroom). Distance learning programs enable interested parties and teachers to interact with each other through computers, the Internet, artificial satellites, telephones, radios, televisions, and other technologies.

While distance learning refers to the formal or informal learning experience, distance education means in particular the formal guidance provided by a teacher, who plans, guides and ultimately evaluates the learning process. Many countries in the world have used different forms of distance learning in their education system.

The teaching method has proved valuable, especially in developed countries. Given the disproportion between the large number of students and the relatively small number of teachers, this method provides a cost-effective way to use limited academic resources.

Many manufacturing companies use distance learning to qualify their employees or to help them refresh their skills or knowledge. Employees can take these programs to work or home at leisure. An indicator of the importance and values ​​of distance learning is the awarding of master's and doctoral degrees by universities where such a program is implemented.

Advantages of distance learning

Distance learning has created a huge difference in the way educators and students think about teaching and learning. Distance learning opens up educational opportunities, allowing pupils / students to learn in more appropriate settings and at a time when they are free. It enables people to extend the time of their education from a limited number of school years, thus enabling them lifelong education. Distance learning also changes the relationship between power and authority between faculty and students. There is equality and open communication between students and professors, which is not the case in traditional education, and what is very important is that students increase their opportunities to get to know different cultures and educational experiences. The Canadian educator, A. Bates, one of the most renowned experts in shaping and organizing distance learning, mentions the strongest reasons for using modern technique and technology for distance learning:

- The way of approaching learning and teaching is improved;

- The quality of learning and teaching increases significantly;

- Necessary expenses for learning and teaching are reduced;

- Learning and teaching become very economical;

- Through satellite links, students can follow and own courses, seminars and content from various forms of learning and teaching from the field, professions and subjects which they do not have in the place where they live;

- Through the electronic board teachers can consult with their colleagues in the same city or even in the whole country;

- The computer network enables students from different countries to learn and jointly solve certain learning problems;

- Computer programs and modern telecommunication techniques make possible the simultaneous use of multimedia resources: sound, moving photography, text, illustration;

- Makes possible the progress of students according to the pace and individual opportunities it has;

- Enables permanent learning and teaching and permanent professional perfection.

E-learning

Online learning is a form of learning that is based on electronic technology. The zoom program enables learning in the classroom, in groups, or independently and at a distance through computer equipment, and in the case of distance learning also through the Internet., Learning through electronic means helps to create a more effective learning environment, because the media facilitate the provision of information in different ways (audio, visual, textual), adapting to students with different learning styles, as well as enabling students to access learning materials and engage in learning activities, in any time. This enables students who are at work to attend classes when it suits them. The internet is already quite necessary for adults, but it also attracts children extremely much. Online learning is a method of education that focuses on pedagogy, technology, as well as the design of teaching curricula, aimed at educating students who are not physically "in place" in a traditional classroom or center.

Recommendations

The following recommendations are a summary and reflection of the needs of schools to implement distance learning in teaching and learning, because teaching in our schools needs to change in terms of further advancement and progress. In our schools it is necessary to set criteria for the use of information technology in teaching. Schools should have information advisors to link schools to the resources and expertise needed in terms of teaching and learning.

A sector should also be set up to explore and experiment with advanced technologies, based primarily to advance the learning process and teaching. Distance learning programs require media preparation teams, teacher experts and academic subject experts to prepare them, who need to design subject curricula according to standards, as well as adapt them to integrated e-learning.

Organizing various workshops, seminars, conferences and roundtables with teachers and students to promote ICT integration in the classroom is much needed. In addition to compiling textbooks, which must have a learning platform, to be used in our schools through specific programs, during the teaching process it is necessary to use didactic methods based on the use of tools offered today by information and communication technology.

Conclusions

Although late compared to the western world, we now have a good initiative to implement e-learning. After the drafting of the E-learning Strategy for pre-university education in 2009, in some vocational schools the implementation of the E-learning method for teaching, through information technologies, has already started. In addition, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2009 started training teachers on the use of computers, ECDL.

So far, a large number of teachers have been trained and this project is ongoing, until the training of all teachers in service is completed. Another project that is being implemented is the one for teacher training for E-learning, which has started to be implemented in some high schools in Kosovo. Through this project it is intended that teachers gain skills and knowledge for the use of Pedagogical Research

Regarding the realization of e-learning in our schools, Albania still does not have electronic readiness for its implementation. There are basic problems, such as infrastructure construction and main educational materials. The government has started equipping schools with computers, but their actual use seems to be still controversial.

Teachers are being trained, but their training is being done for computer skills and not for pedagogical needs, which is not enough.

Students are not close to international standards that open the doors of education, but the interest of society and the individual, too, is not at a level enough to keep pace with global developments, which are giving new meaning to the world.

Teachers today face many obstacles, such as the large number of students in the classroom, lack of infrastructure, lack of computers, etc. It is not easy to make changes, because the schools are not equipped with concretization tools and new modern technologies are lacking.

Accelerating this goal should be a priority for state institutions, implementing the Kosovo Education Strategic Plan 2011-2017, supporting and supporting teachers in building their capacity to develop skills for the use of new technologies for teaching of modern learning. Based on the advantages of distance learning and the needs of the education system in our schools, the application of distance learning in schools is a necessity that will bring qualitative changes in education, because teaching without the use of information and communication technologies is no longer perceived in the world today.

Article written by

Sindi Seiti, a student of Master of Science in Business Administration at Wisdom University College - Tirana (Albania) for the CSB blog.