The event is hosted by the Arab Open University and the Middle East College of InformationTechnology. The latter hosts today's events in its pleasant campus, situated in Knowledge Oasis Oman. The location is an apt metaphor for technology in the emerging nations: hidden between the rugged, rainless Arabian hills, it truly is an oasis of knowledge and development populated by optimistic technology organizations and organizations. Their optimism is well founded: it is no secret that the emerging economies represent some of the most thrilling chances and challenges in the future of technology.
This morning was jam-packed with three keynote presentations by international experts with esteemed international pedigrees, covering diverse aspects of the field.
The first was an overview of the development of approaches to technology enhanced pedagogy, presented by Prof. Terry Anderson of Athabasca University. This included a whirlwind tour of the adjustments in pedagogies, from behaviorism to constructivism, with the current trend towards connectivism. Prof. Anderson's presentation also offered several links to rich resources for online learning.
Next was a presentation on enhancing course materials with SMS text messages by Prof. Rozhan Idrus of USM Malaysia. This research, which is highly feasible with Oman's current mobile phone penetration, has received numerous research grants and awards. The speaker emphasised the importance of recognising the medium as one of many principled tools that can support learning, rather than a formulaic prescription.
The third presentation of the morning represented what seems to me the best gift Oman could wish for as it looks toward its future. Dr. Paul Kim, Chief Technology Officer of Stanford University's School of Education (and vocal Android supporter!), presented a visionary proposal for a pilot project with mobile learning in Oman. Considering the powerful research position of Stanford University, coupled with its strategic location in Silicon Valley, and this project's broad support from a spectrum of technology corporations, this presents an opportunity for Omani education unmatched by any since the Renaissance itself. Oman's unique position as a rapidly emerging but oil-wealthy nation with a wise and benevolent leader makes it uniquely ripe for m-learning, which can leapfrog the more gradual rollout of e-learning. My question to the presenter was how to prepare educators for this revolution. I was promised an answer during his keynote tomorrow morning, and am greatly looking forward to it. I sincerely hope keen ed tech researchers in Oman will attend and take up the offer.
As we approach the end of the lunch break, the first concurrent sessions are about to begin. Then there is a break before this evening's participant dinner at Qurm Natural Park, which so happens to precede Oman's International Fireworks Competition (though this is supposed to be a secret, so mum's the word. Dinner I can take or leave, but I won't miss the fireworks! They might be almost as exciting as a stellar research proposal ;).
