Professional Biography
- e-Learning Lecturer/Developer in Arabic Language
- Consultant (e-Learning, Arabic language teaching)
- Teacher-Trainer (e-Learning)
- External Advisor
- EFL teacher
- ESOL Subject Specialist/Skills for Life Lecturer
At present, I am an e-Learning professional/Lecturer in Arabic as a foreign language at CASAW (Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World), which is a consortium between the three Universities of Edinburgh, Manchester, and Durham. I am specialised in the design and development of interactive eLearning resources which support language learners and teachers within and beyond the classroom. I am constantly generating innovative and original ideas and resources to engage learners and maximise their learning experience. This is supported by and done in parallel with undertaking educational action research.
My teaching career started at the University of East Anglia in Norwich where I designed and taught an Arabic Language Programme at Beginner-Intermediate level for 4 years. As a result of integrating learning technologies into classroom teaching, as well as designing a unique programme from scratch, I was honoured to receive an Award of Excellence in Teaching in 2005 for innovative course design and teaching strategies.
I, and my institution, were also privileged to be shortlisted for the eLearning Awards 2009: “Excellence in the Production of Learning Content - Not for profit Sector”
In addition to Arabic, I taught the following subjects in higher and further education colleges, HM Prisons, adult and community education centres within the regions of Norfolk and Suffolk in England:
- Basic Skills
- EFL (English as Foreign Language) & EAP (English for Academic Purposes)
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- Numeracy
- Literacy
- ICT
Educational History
- PGGC (MCE) Postgraduate Certificate in Mentoring and Coaching in Education, University of Wolverhampton, UK
- PGCE (PCE) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Skills and Learning Sector/PCE), University of East Anglia, UK
- PGC(TLHE) Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Open University, UK
- Teaching Skills Certificate for University Teachers, University of East Anglia, UK
- MA(Ed) Master of Arts in Education, Open University, UK
- (DEUG), Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires Générales, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Morocco
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
- Editorial board, eLearning Conference, University of Plymouth | 2008-present
- Member, e-Assessment Association
- Associate Member, The eLearning Guild | Sep 2007-Present
- Registered Practitioner/Fellow, Higher Education Academy | Jan 2007
- Registered Practitioner, Staff & Educational Development Association | Jan 2007
Academic Awards
- eLearning Awards 2009: Shortlisted for “Excellence in the Production of Learning Content - Not for profit Sector”
- Teaching Excellence Award 2004-05 for innovative course design & teaching strategies Jul 2005 (See University Newsletter, p.8 )
The following interview was featured in the “e-Learning Age” Magazine, Sep 2009
Read Interview (24 - 25)
At 31 years of age, Mourad Diouri already holds the unique title of award-winning “e-learning lecturer in Arabic studies” at Edinburgh University and has been approached by publishers to write four books on e-learning.
“I am not just a lecturer in e-learning; I am a lecturer in e-language learning,” Diouri says. He integrates information and communication technologies in teaching Arabic as a foreign language at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW).
Born in Tangier in Morocco, Diouri’s primary degree is in science. “Conducting experiments was all right, but I was always fascinated by technology and teaching,” he says. Today, he has blended the two into a unique and successful profession.
As a result of integrating IT into language teaching, Diouri won an award for excellence in 2005 from the University of East Anglia for innovative course design and teaching strategies.The Norwich-based university was where Diouri began his teaching career, although he started off by teaching English. He then moved on to teach ICT and Arabic.
What drives him is a passion to invent tools that can ease learning as well as blur geographical boundaries. His tools are used by Arabic professors and students across the world.
He also authored the websites e-Arabic.com and v-Arabic.com. The first provides a growing directory of e-language learning tools designed to encourage and guide Arabic learners and teachers to adopt IT-enhanced tools. The second, v-Arabic.com, is a searchable database of digitised/virtual language “realia” (authentic real-life items which reflects the target language and culture) for Arabic learners and teachers worldwide.
He also launched the m-Arabic initiative to promote the use of mobile learning of Arabic using theme-based podcasts and mobile applications.
“Studying in a classroom is not a natural way to learn a language,” Diouri says. “With Web 2.0 revolutionising our consumption of information, I was interested in using YouTube, RSS feeds, 3D media and social networking sites and smartboards to accustom learners to Arabic culture, the varied accents and to Arabs.”
He defines his role as one that blends old and new ways of learning: a mix of “chalk and talk” and “surf and connect”.
He encourages students to post Twitter feeds in Arabic. “It’s a great way of learning and students doing an advanced degree gain a lot by using such technology, understanding the script and the history background, and virtually living an Arabic life.”
Diouri has also created resources such as digital flashcards, podcasts and electronic activity for students on the move. With his trademark modesty, he says: “One doesn’t have to be a programmer to create websites and technological tools. It has all been made very simple and I just follow the instructions.” He hopes to empower learners and promote and facilitate autonomous learning among learners outside the classroom.
His story is a classic example of “failure becoming the stepping stone to success”. Diouri applied for a traditional Arabic-teaching post at Edinburgh University; he was unsuccessful, but the university recognised his expertise and appointed him to launch a pioneering e-learning agenda to radically modernise the teaching of Arabic in the UK. The university even created the position of e-learning lecturer to accommodate Diouri.
Diouri now plans to launch a collaborative authoring project where teachers can share their tips and vision and network with each other.
But the going hasn’t been easy. A huge challenge is the absence of any model. “It’s like starting with a blank canvas; I didn’t have anything to learn from to add an “e” to “learning” when I started at CASAW in 2007. All I had was a job description of integrating technology into learning.”
He is concerned by the failure of some education professionals to see the potential of e-learning tools for saving time and resources, and empowering students. “It is very hard to get feedback from other teachers and professionals,” he says.
Diouri says he can get overwhelmed with ideas and needs to slow down because resources and funding are scarce. “I am well known as a person who has more ideas than he can implement.”
High on his agenda is his first book Internet Arabic, catering to the student community. A second book will be a guide for professionals and teachers where he will share his top 10 teaching tools. Amid such ventures, he will also set out to fulfil his other ambition of connecting e-learners with e-teachers.
He is happy his expertise is recognised and reveals: “I have just been approached for consultancy work on e-learning. Now I want to increase my online profile and introduce technologies to help students, tutors and everyone around me.”
Archana Venkatraman is a report on e.learning age
Presentations (Conference Papers, Research Seminars, Keynote Speeches, etc.)
See locations of the following presentations in the interactive map ( the following tab)
2010
Technology-Enhanced Language Learning from a Student Perspective
- Conference paper, elearning@ed’2010: The Student Perspective, University of Edinburgh, April 2010
- Further Information
Essential eLearning Tools To Enhance Distance Language Learning
- Distance Learning Event, University of Edinburgh, May 2010
Empowering Arabic Language Learning & Teaching with Educational Technology
- Conference paper, Arabic Language & Culture in Schools, British Council, Mar 2010
- Further Information
Technology & e-Learning Tools & Resources for Creative Language Learning
- Workshop/Seminar, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, London, 25th Feb 2010
- Further Information
Technology-enhanced foreign language learning and teaching
- Workshop/Seminar, “e-Learning Roadshow”, University of Edinburgh, 10th Feb 2010
- Further Information
2009
Visual e-Lingua: How to empower new e-Learning technologies to support visual based learning and teaching of COLT languages
- Conference paper, Community and Lesser Taught Languages: planning, promotion and awareness Routes into Languages North West, Manchester, 18-19 Nov 2009
- Further Information
- Conference Programme
Modern Educational Strategies and Technologies: The Potential of Audio-Visual Libraries, ( “الفنون و أساليب التعليم عن طريق التقنيات الحديثة. قيمة المكتبات السمعية البصرية”)
- Keynote Speech, Casa Árabe-Instituto Internacional de Estudios Árabes y del Mundo Musulmán, Madrid, Spain, Oct 2009
- Further information
- Conference Programme
Revolutionising The Way We Learn And Teach Arabic: Tapping On Web-Based Tools And Technologies
- Conference paper, ARABELE 2009 International Congress on Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language, University of Murcia, Madrid, Spain, Sep 2009
- Further information
You Already Speak Arabic! : Islam’s Contribution to European Languages
- Public Speech, Aug 2009, Islam Festival, Edinburgh International Arts Festival
- Further Information
How to Mingle the Web2.0 Way: Maximising the Potential of Language Learning Using Emerging Web2.0 Technologies
- Conference paper, Jul 2009, eLearning 2.0 Conference, University of Brunel
- Further Information
Moving from “Chalk & Talk” to “Surf & Connect”: Blended eLearning of Arabic Language Education in HE
- Conference poster, Jun 2009, Blended Learning Conference 2009, University of Hertfordshire
- Further Information
Language Learning 2.0 in Action: Web 2.0 Tools To Enhance Language Learning
- Conference paper, Apr 2009, Plymouth eLearning Conference 2009, University of Plymouth
- Further Information
eLearning Resources and Strategies to enhance Arabic Language Learning and Teaching within and beyond the classroom
- Conference paper, Mar 2009, Arabic Language & Culture in Schools, British Council
- Further Information
Islam’s contribution to the English language: English words of Arabic origin
- Lecture, Islamic Awareness Week, University of Edinburgh, Feb 2009
- Further Information
2008
Moving beyond ‘chalk and talk’: blended e-Arabic learning and teaching, Languages of the Wider World: Valuing Diversity
- Conference paper, Sep 2008, SOAS, University of London,
- Further Information
Beyond traditional learning - Using virtual realia for innovative language learning and teaching
- Conference paper, April 2008, 2008 University of Plymouth e-learning conference (Digital Technologies: Re-purposing Education)
- Further Information
Language education in the digital age : eLearning Technologies and resources to enhance Arabic language learning and teaching,
- Research Seminar, Oct 2008, Al-Maktoum Institute For Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dundee
- Further Information
Islam’s Contribution to Scotland
- Keynote speech, Apr 2008, Launch of the Report (The Arab community in Scotland), Fife Arabic Society
- Further Information
e-Learning : Enhanced Learning of the Arabic Language, Arabic on Campus and Beyond Conference,
- Conference paper, April 2008, CASAW, University of Edinburgh
- Further Information
2007
e-Learning and e-Teaching of the Arabic language: Benefits and Opportunities
- Presentation, Oct 2007, CASAW, University of Edinburgh
Innovative Approaches in Teaching Arabic in HE, Learning and Teaching Day
- Presentation and Poster, Learning and Teaching Day, University of East Anglia, Jul 2007
- Further Information: See Newsletter, p.13
2006
Why study languages? How Can Languages Work for You?
- Conference paper, Jul 2006, Widening Participation Conference, University of East Anglia
- Further Information
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“e-Learning Lecturer in Arabic” Academic Post
I am currently the holder of the title “eLearning Lecturer in Arabic”, which is the first dedicated academic post of its kind in Higher Education in the UK. I was appointed in Sep 2007 to lead the institution’s eLearning agenda. To lead and implement this agenda, I had to adopt an innovative approach to delivering the eLearning side of a “blended” intensive Arabic programme. This was developed from scratch with a view to making it unique, imaginative and user-friendly. I played an active role in leading, designing and delivering online materials (e-tivities, e-tests, e-resources, etc…) to support learning inside (during e-seminars) and outside the classroom (via a VLE).
TEACHING & TEACHER-TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Teacher-Training Workshops
Communicative Teaching Approach to Foreign Languages
- 1-week Intensive CPD teacher-training course, Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World, University of Edinburgh
- I was responsible for delivering the training sessions related to “eLearning Skills, Tools & Resources to empower Foreign Language Teaching”
- Read more…
eLearning Skills, Tools & Resources Training Workshops for Foreign Language Teachers
- Ealing Arabic School, London | Sep 2009
- Lincolnshire School Improvement Service, Arabic School For All (ASFA) | Dec 2009
Courses Taught
- Modern Standard Arabic
- EFL (English as Foreign Language)
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- Numeracy & Literacy
- Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
Research Interests
- e-Language Learning
- Technology-enhanced Language Learning and Teaching (TELL)
- Web 2.0 for language learning
- Visual and interactive multimedia learning and teaching strategies
- Virtual/Digitised Language Realia
- Technology-Enhanced Vocabulary Learning
Current e-Learning Projects
- e-Arabic Toolkit : e-Arabic Learning Tools & Resource
- m-Arabic : Mobile Arabic Learning
- f-Arabic: eArabic Audio-Visual Flashcards
- v-Arabic: Virtual Arabic Realia
- Mourad Diouri’s Top Ten eLearning Tools 2008, Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies
Click on the image to display further details
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
My Facebook Space
Follow me on Twitter
Skype name : Mourad.Diouri
For further information and advice on eLanguage learning/teaching , please feel free to contact me on:
Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World
School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
University of Edinburgh, 19 George Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9LD, UK
m.diouri@ed.ac.uk
Mourad.Diouri@e-arabic.com
Virtual Communication
You can now use Instant Messaging (IM) to chat with the eLearning Lecturer, Mourad Diouri via e-Arabic.com to enquire about the information and resources available at the e-Arabic Learning Portal.
Check the box to the right to see if I am online now (if the light in the top left of the box is green, I am online). Then, to begin chatting type a username/nickname (preferably your first name).
What a great work you are doing. Keep it up and good luck.
Hey Mourad
I am impressed by the work your doing! I would like to get permission to access these papers for an MA TAFL course I teach
Hi Mourad,
Yes it’s a great site - I do like the ‘As the arabs say’.
One quick question what would be a good dictionary to buy? I rashly bought the Hans Wehr dictionary without realising it was only Arabic to English, so as a beginner I need something that’s going to help me a bit more. Thanks
Regards
Lesley
Dear Lesley,
Arabic-English/English-Arabic Dictionary is quite a popular dictionary
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arabic-English-English-Arabic-Dictionary-Nicholas-Awde/dp/1898948208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263181650&sr=8-1
If you are a visual learner, Arabic-English Visual Bilingual Dictionary is a good start:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arabic-English-English-Arabic-Dictionary-Nicholas-Awde/dp/1898948208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263181650&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arabic-English-Visual-Bilingual-Dictionary-Dictionaries/dp/1405341211/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263181650&sr=8-3
Hope this helps
Best Regards
Mourad