POISED potential

Sharp, are today’s school kids when it comes to using computers. Sharper will be the next generation. These kids have a ready potential poised to exploit the world of e-learning. They need indigenous online education programs, a proper infrastucture and speed, are we ready to give them that. Remember,that the rich Pakistani kids can get any international education package online, even paid programs. It is the bright poor kids who cannot satisfy their hunger for knowledge which is whetted by their lessons. Say, in Pakistan studies and science, which are very limited in information especially in cross-subject solutions eg. Carbon dating and the fossil period;problems of salinity and archaeological sites in Pakistan. Are we ready to cater to the growing appetite of the next generation for knowledge?
Learning of a different kind:- It is the title of an article published in Dawn Sci-tech World,front page on 20 october 07.http://DAWN.com It is a must read, I feel. My favorit excerpts from it are; a)’’Unfortunately, some of the better funded public and private sector universities of our country are not venturing into imparting electronic form of education.’’(page 1 para7).*b)’’There must be professional- level training for teachers who deliver distant education.’’(page 2 para 3).*c)’’Distant learning becomes immensely important in the third world where access to basic education, let alone quality education, is scarce.’’ ‘’......but in Pakistan, universities like AIOU means developing an interest in education, enhancing the higher education reach into rural areas where campus development is not possible or is painfully slow, providing relief to students who had to dropout and take up early jobs due to economic conditions, opening up opportunities for students with visual, hearing, mobility impairments and breaking the age limit barrier associated with many traditional learning institutions. Also,knowledge seekers9(INSERT :My thoughts-I like it, I like it...) can learn at their own pace in a much lesser fee-the true spirit of ‘open’ education’’.(page2,para8).*d)’’ But still there is a large chunk of professionals who-due to work pressure-cannot afford to go for a full-time generic coursework or degree program taking years of study.’’(INSERT:My point-I think so too, I think so too,I think so too....)’’to fill this vacuum, there is a need for specialised electronic courses catering to specific needs that universities cannot provide right now.�(INSERT:My views-like MBBS professionals working in pre-clinical medicine departments and MO’s working in Pakistani hospital laboratories[biochemistry, histology, and microbiology](page2 para9).
*e)’’Along with all the advantages, there is one more very distinct opportunity associated with e-learning in our country-easy inclusion of the disabled and women education.’’(INSERT :My thoughts-out of practise women doctors to get opportunity to catch up with the latest practical works in surgery,medicine, gynae,ent, eye, psychiatric medicine and sub-specialties of these subjects).(page2 para11).