LEARNING FROM FIRST TIME ELEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL LEADERS IN THE MALDIVES: A Case Study

In Maldives, educational policy makers are beginning to explore the value of ICT and
web tools as a medium of continuous professional development for school leaders and
teachers. This paper reports on insights and responses of a group of five school leaders
who participated in a web based distance education course. For most of them, this was
their first experience in distance education as well as eLearning within a formal
University context. By giving voice to the participants, we explore and identify
strategies for successful first time eLearning experiences for school leaders. These
include student preparedness for academic studies as well as for eLearning, language
proficiency, cultural and social dynamics of knowledge construction as well as personal
attributes which lead to successful learning.