Jordanian Facebook School

[Wael Attili]

Knowledge is power that you can only get through education. The power of any nation is reflection of its educational system..

Why to wait for the government to fix our educational system? Why not to be part of the solution and provide support and enhanced alternatives. 

how about creating a Facebook school Where you can be a student and a teacher at the same time. The school will have a flat system.. you can choose any level or any class you want. It can be for all age groups simply because it does not depend on age, it depend on mental capabilities and interest..

It has to introduce a new concept of education a way from the regular system that we have. I really see it similar to the old way of learning "Kuttab and Zawaya". Where you seek teachers based in your interest. Age has nothing to do with learning.  

You can create your own curriculum, tests and issue you own certificates on the other hand you can take any course by anyone.. its all about sharing knowledge..

You can use text, photos, videos, slide shows, Pdfs, discussion forums and messages to communicate with your students or to communicate with your teachers..

Why Facebook..
Simply because it large Jordanian community and the platform has so many features which can be utilized..

Other alternative can be Google Waves or it can be a ning thing.. but I still believe that Facebook is more convenient and accessible to the Jordanian community..

Any ideas? any one interested or anyone who is capable of taking this idea into the next level? 

[Khaled El-Ahmad]

I like the idea, during our Tweetups in Amman Fouad Jeryes suggested that we do a Tech night, where we invite someone to lecture us about anything that has to do with tech stuff.

My only question is would this be an online event only or would you take it to the real life as well?

Great idea,

Khaled Elahmad
(@Shusmo)
http://40some.wordpress.com
[e-mail]

[Wael Attili]

Hi Khaled;

I believe it should at least start online only and grow there organically, and then we leave the school community to decide if they want to take it offline or not ..

Lets start with the simplest format we can do..

[Fouad Jeryes]

Hey Guys,

As I mentioned to Khaled just recently, I am looking to invest a serious effort into creating a social project that would bring local young entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and others together here in Amman in a friendly environment.

With the lack of frequent and more personal events in the area, I am planning for a ~2 hour bi-weekly sessions that would allow experienced individuals, experts (from the community), as well as "first-timers" to come together, network, and learn from each other. Some sessions would host presenters (ranging from specific/technical topics to more generic subjects ex: how to start & monetize a blog), others would allow for people to simply present ideas in hopes of brainstorming, seeking partners who may be interested...etc.

I am tentatively calling it "Amman Tech Tuesdays" and the overall goal is to fortify the local tech & entrepreneurial eco-system in our country & give the community a chance to ask the questions they have always wanted to ask.

I would love to speak to anyone who may be interested/excited about the initiative, has other ideas, and the capacity to assist. I can be reached at: fouad(at)fouadjeryes(dot)com or on twitter @FouadJeryes.

[Khaled El-Ahmad]

Fouad,

That is a great idea, and I'm looking forward to it. I would love to help with bringing people together if you can line up the Presenters.

#AmmanTT :-)

Best regards,

Khaled Elahmad

[Nada A. Abandah]

Wael, This is a great idea :)

Fouad, I've been doing a similar thing for "Organizational Maturity & Project Management" for the past five months now, and host it at www.intrinsic-management.com offices in Mecca Street. It has been a great success so far, and similar communities are already cloning the idea in Egypt and Saudi, and we're planning to hold joined get togethers via Skype!

I would love to share with you the lessons learned (the good, the bad and the ugly), and welcome you to one of our get togethers (we hold them every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, and they are open to anyone who is interested in the subjects. They also qualify people who are alread certified PMP to gather professional development units that are important to renew their PMP (this is how we get people coming in and interested).

Also, you might be interested to know that SABEQ (a USAID program) holds a similar concept called "Jordan Professional Communities" www.jordanpc.org with similar ideas as well, none of their communities is IT related, but you could apply for hosting one, and they might help with the venue and costs.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to take this further, I'd be more than willing to help.

Thanks.

[Rula A.]

A system with no rules will turn into a flood of chaos.. There must be rules to obtain otherwise it will be aimless..

[Wael Attili]

I agree we need to have rules, but rules must be as much simple as possible..

There are many layers of rules

- The rules of the technology usage
- Rules of Facebook experience
- Rules of the community
- Rules of education and sharing


But let's not think of limitations before we start experimenting and lets not be afraid of failure

[Makram Adnan]

Actually Fouad, I just recently met with a man named Ghaith Saqer. He is the founder of a tech forum called arabcrunch.net which has a mentor/mentee system. It basically does what you're proposing in terms of helping the novice users by partnering them up with a savvier mentor to help them out and teach them.

[Fouad Jeryes]

Hey Makram,

I know Ghaith, a great guy doing some great things in the Arab tech news space and beyond. My project's purpose is fundamentally different. Things will become clearer to you as we approach the first event (Hope you'll be a part of it!). Additionally, I consider myself to be in-tune and close to most local programs happening in the area. Obviously, I wouldn't be spending time and effort on an initiative that already exists, but I appreciate your message.

Thanks for your insight and for reaching out!

-Fouad

[Makram Adnan]

Hello Fouad,

I look forward to seeing what you have in mind. However arabcrunch.com and arabcrunch.net are two inherently different concepts, whereas the first covers tech news and the sort. The second one is supposed to be about bringing together "techies" of all levels of experience to help each other out.

At least that is my understanding :)
Again, I look forward to seeing what you have in mind and taking part.

[Tanya Kasim]

Wow! I was wondering if I could put my expertise in spelling and grammar (in English, of course) to good use on Facebook. Anyone who has a question about tenses, misplaced modifiers, and so on can ask me on Facebook. This is just a suggestion, though.

[Khairieh Amr]

Yes Wael, I automatically thought of many ways this could fail like many groups on facebook, probably should start with a 'positive thinking' course, desparately needed... otherwise how about you starting a cartoon school I will definitely join :)