AMA launches Internet courses

AMA Computer University, which pioneered E-learning in the formal education sector in the Philippines and has the largest implementation coverage in the world with a base of more than 100,000 students, has launched more than 1,000 courses in its fully hosted Internet environment.

The courses are multi-disciplinary and cover a wide range of subjects that will complement the traditional instructor-led methodology.

The courses were developed with Smartforce, the leading company in the United States that specializes in computer-based training and education solutions.

The research and development facilities are based in Dublin, Ireland and are considered to be the largest in the E-learning industry.

The development teams engaged for the project were led by educational consultants, who assembled expert instructional designers, writers, editors, and information systems specialists for each project. All the courses will be delivered using advanced interactive learning solutions in its capability to deliver education-on-demand, "anywhere, anytime." This will serve as an effective complement to the traditional instructor-led learning methodology. The subjects available cover vendor-authorized, certification-level courseware, covering a diverse group of networking, database, Internet, and end-user application products and technologies, including the following: Cisco, Microsoft, Java Programming, Lotus Notes, Oracle, and Sybase Power Builder.

Amable Aguiluz IX, president of AMA Education System, noted that the E-learning platform of AMA would also be available for linkages and alliances with corporate training as well as a co-learning activity with secondary schools who may desire to give an introductory E-learning overview to its students.

AMA started its E-learning project in1999. Development of the content, however, started as early as five years ago. AMA initially utilized Hewlett Packard’s HP E-LOT infrastructure. The link-up of all the schools under the system nationwide is now undertaken through AMA’s own infrastructure and will soon be linked via broadband satellite for wireless interactive connections with all its users.