Mobitel launches ‘mLearning’
Anjana SAMARASINGHE
Sri Lanka Telecom-Mobitel together with University of Colombo
launched “mLearning” which is known as Mobile Learning, a teaching and
learning process through the use of mobile and hand held devices such as
mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), lap-tops and tablet
personal computers in Colombo yesterday.
|
Chairperson, SLT and SLT Mobitel, Leisha de Silva Chandrasena
exchanging the agreement with Vice Chancellor, University of
Colombo, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama, Director General, TRCSL,
Priyantha Kariyapperuma and Chairman, University Grants
Commission, Prof. S.V.D.G. Samaranayake look on. Picture by
Saliya Rupasinghe |
Former Dean of the Faculty of Graduates Studies, Prof. Lakshman
Dissanayake said “mLearning” will provide a virtual classroom
environment for the students.
This technology will integrate students in and out of the country
with the lecturers in the classroom and enable students to listen to the
lectures even without being in the classroom.
“This will be an unique opportunity for the people who are always on
the move due to their job and cannot continue their higher education due
to the busy schedules,” he said.
Initially, “mLearning” will be an option available for students
following the “Executive Diploma in Marketing” (EDM). Students who are
selected for the EDM will receive a laptop, a dongle as well as a free
data package, which will include Voice, a SIM and 3G services for year.
The programme is currently offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies of
the University of Colombo, and will be a stepping stone for students
with A/L qualifications.
The course curriculum is designed and compiled by the University of
Colombo, with the communication infrastructure being facilitated by
Mobitel. The developed system will be hosted on a Microsoft platform,
which will be provided by Microsoft Sri Lanka.
Only a limited number of students are able to enter into universities
in Sri Lanka. “mLearning” will help the country to attract more students
to the higher education system. It also helps local universities to
offer their courses for foreign students too,” he said.
CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom and Mobitel, Suren J. Amarasekera said the
world is transforming to a global economy integrated through internet
today.
“Under this project universities can source faculty from world over
and connect expertise during the lectures and facilitate research over
the internet. This will enable to broadcast lectures live, reviewing
recorded lectures, online assignment submissions and online exams.
Students will have the opportunity to interact with lecturers during the
live broadcast and raise questions,” he said.
‘mLearning’ could remove the barriers that the learning technology
has. Since Mobitel has a wide broadband network in the country this
could be successfully implemented in the country. |
