On the 22nd of August, the Iraqi eLearning Portal (IeLP), hosted by the NATO DEEP, achieved a significant step forward. As demanded by the Iraqi and NMI sites, a dedicated familiarisation e-meeting (NATO DEEP VC Portal based – BigBlueButton), gathering eight participants from the following Iraqi higher military education system (HMES) entities: (1) National Defense University – NDI, (2) Defence University for Higher Military Studies – DUHMS, (3) Defense Language Institute -DLI, (4) Strategic Studies and Research Centre was held. Also, Olaf van Aalst from NMI took part. During the presentation on “The benefits of e-learning”, the Iraqi participants were familiarized with the strengths and weaknesses of ADL approaches (synchronous, asynchronous, blended). The specificity of ADL platforms was compared, LMS ILIAS included. The Iraqis were also briefed on the utility of online ADL courses in English, available on the IeLP, and informed, that three products had already been translated into the Arabic language: (1) “But, will it work online?”, (2) “Yes, it does work online!” and (3) “Cyber Defence Awareness Training – CDAT”. The courses are available within the dedicated space of the IeLP. The next events within NATO DEEP Iraq are scheduled for the beginning of September. Two online courses, dedicated to the LMS ILIAS (IeLP) Administrators will be conducted by the NATO DEEP eAcademy team.
