Information and Communication Technology & Economic Freedom in Islamic Middle Eastern Countries

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Research and theory
Literature review
Result
Conclusion
Bibliography

Introduction

The main focus of the paper is to evaluate and analyze the research article by authors Farid Shirazi, Roya Gholami and Dolores An˜o´n Higo. The name of the article is “The impact of information and communication technology (ICT), education and regulation on economic freedom in Islamic Middle Eastern countries” published in Information & Management in 2009. The fundamental aspect of the research paper is in the context of e-Commerce. In particular, the “study investigated the impact of ICT expansion on economic freedom in the Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen)” (Shirazi, Gholami and An˜o´n Higo 2009). In order to understand the paper, initially, the theory of the issues would be taken into consideration backed by several other peer reviewed research works, none older than five years, and then a conclusion would be drawn out of these studies.

Research and theory

Shirazi, Gholami and An˜o´n Higo did a commendable job on the aspect of information and communication technology (ICT) on education in the Middle East countries and did a wide empirical study on the topic. So, as to eliminate errors in this research study the researches used 30 extremely important texts on the subject. Thus, the researchers took care of every aspect of the study. Another advantage of this study is the method used which is linear discrimination function. As transpersonal orientation relates to the belief system or attitude of the subjects it has been found that this linear discriminate function is the most appropriate method for outlining such an empirical definition for ecommerce researchers. The writing is very clear and simple and easily understandable by the general population since it has been divided into many sections clearly stating the needs and results. This is a unique article as it gives importance to the role ecommerce plays in the life of the educationists and students and urges that the administrators are given training to handle their students in a better manner. This study is able to establish the essence of information and communication technology (ICT) in education in the Middle East countries and how it differs from the conventional approaches, not in its techniques or methods but in its scope and orientation.

One of the weaknesses of this study is that the there is no first hand surveys used. The only surveys taken into considerations are the secondary data obtained from different sources. Some people may find the conclusion to be limited since the researchers have used only a certain method in this study, the linear discrimination function. But still it serves more as an advantage rather than weakness.

Literature review

Information technology has brought a new wave to our education system. This availability has changed the education system in such a way that people do not have to be physically present in school to learn. The availability of number of online classes and schools has also increased lately and there is an availability of various subjects. The online education programs are popular today and currently serve various sections of the population. As it is fairly new, it still undergoes change in policies and course structures. Importantly, the roles of teachers have also changed as teaching in an actual class is no longer mandatory and online classes are significantly different in communication, interaction and tools.

The role of internet in public life has developed a concept where social communications has become more interactive process than ever before. This could be highlighted by mentioning the growing transmission of information among various subjects like business and politicians, the news media and the public. This process can be regarded as a process flowing down-wards from governing institutions towards citizens. This has also enabled straight linkages among different population of the society. It should be taken into account as the main fallout of this technology when it acts upwards from public opinion towards authorities. In this context, the aspects of e learning or online learning become significant particularly while venturing the parameters of Students’ perceptions on barriers of online learning (Muilenburga 2008).

But nevertheless, it is evident that the amount of influence of the internet on today’s mass is extremely substantial and it cannot be overlooked that the potential of this tool as a communicative medium could be significant enough in the near future that could have the potential to topple government and change the fate of a country forever. The only variable remaining is the proper ability and apposite will to indulge into the prospective strength of the internet.

One important factor of online learning is low tuition cost. Explosion in college tuition has over the years, tremendously affected the quality of education in institutions of higher learning. Attending college in prestigious institutions like Harvard and Slippery Rock Universities was quite a different experience in 1960 than it has been after the year 2000. By the year 2000, many college students opted to attend less expensive institutions than was previously the case. Two-year colleges which are far much cheaper have become very popular, a trend that has been accentuated by the emergence of online learning. But those in favor of the US system of higher education may be right to argue that there has been a sharp improvement in the quality of general undergraduate experience on college campuses. Students now enjoy better physical facilities such as air-conditioned learning halls, modern recreation facilities, and bigger and more representative students’ unions. University facilities in the US are said to rival those of exclusive resorts and country clubs. Computer technology has made learning interesting and it is now much easier to get access to college professors through innovations such as internet and email (Nissanoff 2009).

As a whole, therefore, it could be seen that the whole matter of educating students with effective means is basically the use of common sense with a complete perception and thorough understanding of the process of learning or in other words the process the human brain deciphers meanings and learn accordingly in the process. Thus, it is important to develop and implement systematic instructional design in this profession or intended professional setting with the perception of practicable and practicable knowledge of the process of learning and providing it a structural formation though instructional designing. This knowledge can be utilized directly within the peripheral region of the knowledge base of the students. The most relevant measures of educating the students’ is in the proper use of the art of designing. While using the design in the classroom the best possible measure is to formulate a module based on the subject that the students find difficult to understand. The formulation of this module should be based on instruction designing principals and once completed should be viewed together in class. Compact disc players can be installed in the class with required gadgets like screening medium and audio system along with keyboard and other computer accessories. It should also be taken into account the students are allowed to take home a copy of the compact disc with them for later and regular viewing purpose.

There was a common misconception that online courses actually require more commitment and interaction amongst classmates and the facilitator. It was found that in the early days of distance education there was hardly any change in the context of traditional teaching methods. However, in the new model of online classes more emphasis is given to activities like group –projects, assignments and collaborative discussions among students and faculties. Thus, as a result, it has been found that there is an increased involvement and excelled interaction between students and faculties than before. It indicates that through online classes the students are required to be more responsible. In the context of teaching, it should be remembered that online instructions require trainings and the faculties accountable for online classes are to compete a course of six week training period before becoming eligible to take up the responsibility of the online classes (Prawer 2008).

However, there should be regular evaluation. This is a need that will continually emerge in education, usually on a daily basis. As students, we evaluate the efficacy of any learning strategy, sometimes on an hourly basis based on testing, participation and cooperation in lessons. This makes instructional planning an ongoing process, where we must set goals for an instructional plan, monitor program implementation, evaluate the success of the program, and adjust the plan whenever it would be necessary. In order to manage this, an evaluation method must be designed. This should be considered by a committee of those involved using a model of evaluation in order to determine judgments and decisions, ask the correct questions, and gather the correct information necessary to explore the validity of the process in the data collection methods chosen (Muilenburga 2008).

Result

On a personal note it can be stated that, in the context of online learning, internet capacity is available for all classrooms and effective and efficient software and online learning sources are considered integral within every school’s curriculum. The results were then tabulated using measures such as “School Observation Measure, Expanded Rubric, Survey of Computer Use, Teacher Technology Questionnaire, School Climate Inventory, Technology Coach Survey, Teacher Focus Groups, Principal Interviews, Technology Coach Interview and Technology Benchmarks” (Muilenburga 2008). According to the results, portrayed, significant differences on nine of the twenty-four SOM strategies in that higher frequency could be assessed. Work centers, more project-based learning and systematic individual instruction including independent inquiry, all of which were more student-centered. The use of technology and interest in the students themselves would also have shown increase. Thus, from the parameters of the researchers, Shirazi, Gholami and An˜o´n Higo, (2009) the result of their study is near perfect.

Conclusion

This study clearly explains that education needs the help of information and communication technology (ICT) and other IT facilities, particularly in education sector of Middle East. This study also leads the way for further researches in the areas of the various transpersonal trainings that can be offered by various institutes and make it mandatory for researchers who want to be qualified as experts in the field of information and communication technology (ICT). Overall, it is a comprehensive and well-structured research document, which ventures out to a much under researched subject of study. The research design, although exposed to a few limitations, is consistent with the research philosophy. The concepts of reliability and validity of the research are taken care of with utmost concern by the authors. Finally, it might be said that the article would act as an important literature for future researches, provide essential guidelines, and aid for the same.

Bibliography

Farid Shirazi, F., Gholami, R., and Higo´n, D. 2009. The impact of information and communication technology (ICT), education and regulation on economic freedom in Islamic Middle Eastern countries. Information & Management, 46 (2009), pp. 426–43.

Muilenburga, L., 2008. Student Barriers to Online Learning: A factor analytic study. Distance Education, 26 (1), pp. 29–48.

Nissanoff, D., 2009. FutureShop: How the New Auction Culture Will Revolutionize the Way We Buy, Sell and Get the Things We Really Want, The Penguin Press, Auckland.

Prawer, H., 2008. Birth of Electronic Business: The Evolving Intelligence, Part II, Allied Publications, Dunedin.

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