A Regional Integrated Virtual Learning Environment: The AOU's Experience

Abstract

In this paper we propose to construct a Regional Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (RIVLE) for the Arab Open University (AOU). AOU is a new nonprofit learning institution with branches in six Arab countries and more branches scheduled to open in the near future. The university adopts an open learning methodology. We describe the major elements of the RIVLE and their interaction. We present a generic interface between the RIVLE and the Student Information System (SIS). We focus on the characteristics of the pedagogical model in the Arab Open University context and explain why RIVLE would be a perfect fit for this model. We argue that the potential benefits of a RIVLE are realized in such a setting. We also study the possibility of extending the RIVLE to existing learning institutions in the region.

Keywords

• e-learning
• VLE
• Open Learning
• Web-Courses
• CMC