UAE students to get study material on BlackBerry

ABU DHABI, UAE: Learning in Abu Dhabi University will now move beyond the walls of the classroom as the students will get BlackBerry smartphones to access all course materials and topic updates whenever and wherever they are.

The university is implementing a mobile education programme powered by Etisalat in collaboration with Blackboard Inc.

The project comprises of three classes and 75 students. This innovative programme has been designed to provide a contemporary and tech-savvy learning medium for higher education students.

The students will also be provided with the latest BlackBerry Smartphone, courtesy BlackBerry UAE, and free data packages from Etisalat.

Through this technology, the university aims to increase the level of communication and engagement between the teachers and students, ensuring a more timely flow of information and class lectures.

The students would be able to access documents in multiple formats, read announcements, create discussion threads and content items and upload media.

"We are currently in a mobile generation where everyone is expected to be in contact anytime, anywhere. By implementing this programme, we can take advantage of the mobile culture by enabling students and teachers to gain instant access to their courses and content materials using their handheld devices," said James Mackin, provost of Abu Dhabi University.

"This will negate students' need to have access to a computer allowing our faculty to develop more innovative teaching techniques and will give the students an opportunity to be engaged in the learning process regardless of physical location," he said.

Following a trial period, the services will be fully implemented across the entire university by September.