Using an Outcome-Based Information Technology Curriculum and an E-Learning Platform to Facilitate Student Learning

Abstract

A recently established university in the United Arab Emirates has shifted from an input-based teaching model to an outcome-based learning model. The outcome based academic model is new in the Gulf region and is designed to allow students and faculty members to work together to foster learning. This model is a dramatic departure from the traditional input model where students in the Gulf have learned to mainly accept and retain information. Using the university's learning outcomes model, the College of Information Technology (CIT) has identified five learning outcomes and used them to develop its curriculum. All learning outcomes are integrated into all CIT courses. All students own a laptop and have wired and wireless access to various university resources such as the library, Blackboard, IT labs and the Internet. Currently, the CIT is moving to a web-based learning environment. Under this environment, the outcome-based academic model requires faculty members to shift their efforts from teaching or lecturing to facilitating student learning. CIT faculty are reshaping their course contents and refocusing their courses to clearly show all the steps needed to learn various concepts and skills as well as how students can achieve a particular learning outcome. This study proposes an outcome-based IT curriculum for delivery in an e-learning environment. Such an environment is ideal for female students who prefer to have limited interaction with male faculty and who typically need more time to understand IT concepts in English. It is anticipated that this e-learning environment will facilitate the delivery of course content and also improve the discussion and communication between students and faculty.

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