News

The E-Learning Unit of the Faculty of Languages and Translation (clt) at King Khalid University has concluded an action-packed semester of innovative strides. The Unit, under the oversight of Dean Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi and the leadership of E-Learning Supervisor Mohsin Khan, has successfully introduced and implemented the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS), a transformative tool for our students' educational experiences.

The highly adaptable CLMS promotes dynamic interaction among students, instructors, and a vast array of online content beyond the traditional classroom setting. The rollout of such a substantial system was a mammoth task, and as expected, there were initial challenges. However, the system's capability and usefulness have clearly justified the efforts. Around 9,000 ELC students and 160 teachers across all university campuses are now harnessing the benefits of the CLMS.

Considering the sheer size and scope of the CLMS, ensuring the quality of course content is a top priority. Our publishers exert tremendous effort to certify the relevance and effectiveness of the content for our students, with rigorous quality management systems propelling ongoing enhancement. King Khalid University also has an established quality assurance framework aimed at maximizing learning outcomes and fostering continuous improvement. To this end, the University employs the Quality Matters (QM) methodology across several academic and support functions.

Quality Matters is a renowned non-profit organization committed to elevating the quality of online educational programs. Initially launched by a consortium of American colleges and universities, it has expanded its reach to over a thousand institutional subscribers globally. Thus far, QM has certified more than five thousand online courses and delivered professional development resources to nearly 50,000 teachers.

King Khalid University is a pioneer, being the first QM subscriber in the Kingdom and boasting several certified courses across various curricula. Our University's QM program is a trailblazer, receiving numerous commendations and awards for its efforts and content. It has also established a benchmark for other educational institutions across the MENA region. In the spirit of consistent improvement, the University fosters the development of more e-learning courses to better serve our students and the community at large. A QM certified course must meet 43 international standards across eight design criteria:

• Course Overview and Introduction
• Learning Objectives (Competencies)
• Assessment and Measurement
• Instructional Materials
• Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
• Course Technology
• Learner Support
• Accessibility and Usability

Khan expressed his hope that all clt faculty members will engage with e-learning to optimize student benefits. He invites faculty members to reach out to him for any queries regarding the initiative.

In its efforts to augment student learning outcomes and enhance faculty skills, the clt E-Learning Unit conducted a series of programs, including:

• E-Learning Workshops for Students
• E-Learning Practitioner Course for all University Teachers
• E-Learning Campaign
• Virtual Classroom (University-Wide Teacher Workshop)
• E-Learning Orientation for New Faculty Members of the University
• Introduction to the Blackboard With Special Reference to the QM Rubric (University-Wide Teacher Training Workshop)
• The E-Learning Unit's agenda for the upcoming academic year is already brimming with programs designed to extend the benefits to more students and bolster faculty preparedness to better serve the University and the community. Some of the planned programs include:
• Implementation of the QM program in EFL Teaching
• E-Learning Campaign
• E-Learning Day
• Virtual Classroom Workshop
• Student Training Workshop
• Teacher Training Workshop
• New Trends in e-Learning Workshop
• Online Course Design
• QM Alignment Concept Workshop
• Online Interaction Workshop

The Faculty of Languages and Translation is committed to extending its educational resources to an increasing number of community members and continually improving all academic programs. E-learning plays an instrumental role in realizing both objectives and is an essential tool for educational development at the University and throughout the Kingdom.