Effat event explores new teaching techniques

Effat University in Jeddah on Monday launched its ninth annual Learning and Technology Conference under the slogan “Learning by Design: Purpose, Art & Motion.”The two-day event aims to explore new teaching methods in utilizing students’ passion for the World Wide Web to assist instructors in making use of successful teaching methods. “Since 2002 Effat University has organized this gathering as a vehicle through which educators, technologists, researchers and others could come together and explore new ideas in teaching with technology. Over the past decade we have highlighted a range of themes such as bridging the divide; digital literacy; cyber citizenship vistas and visions; edutainment: technology for learning and life; and social media: platforms for interactive communities,” said Effat President Haifa Jamal Al-Lail.She said this year Effat University would be focusing on answering the question of how to design learning that works. “Educators today appreciate the profound impact that technology has had on learning, but at the same time we know that simply using computers and the Internet is not enough,” said Al-Lail.“Rapid changes have been brought about by new tools such as social networks, mobile platforms, humanistic interfaces, and powerful media tools. As responsible educators, we need to take the time to carefully consider how thinking and learning are really affected by the tools that we choose to use. We owe it to our students to design educational experiences that prepare them to face the future, and our hope is that this conference will inspire you and guide you in this task.”Director General of UNESCO and one of the conference’s guests Irina Bokova said: “It is an honor to be here at Effat University. This world-class institution of higher learning is one of the great legacies of Queen Effat Al-Thunayan Al-Saud. I can feel the spirit of her commitment to education for all and the pursuit of knowledge in this room. This spirit is alive in each of us.”