A virtual university: Characteristics of the concept (by the example of the syrian virtual university)

Abstract

© Serials Publications.The relevance of the problem lies in the necessity of detailed study of the Middle East region and its potential in the field of virtual education caused by the fact that all existing studies cover the projects which were implemented in the educational space of North America and Western Europe. The basic approach is presented by the method of observation, the method of interview with the ideologists of the Syrian Virtual University, which is the subject of our study, as well as the survey of students. The main results of the study consist in identification of distinctive features of virtual learning, definition of the required conditions for adaptation of the model, as well as determination of the main problems occurred within the process of implementation of the virtual university model by the example of the Syrian Virtual University. The research creates necessary prerequisites for a more detailed and deep analysis of the educational process development in the Middle East; the results of the study may be included in teaching materials and textbooks on pedagogy.