CHALLENGES AND FUTURE OF E-LEARNING IN THE ARAB WORLD

The last few decades have witnessed the rapid growth and development of information and communication technology (ICT) and its application to learning and teaching. E-learning, has been viewed as a way in which to offer lifelong learning to those who are geographically separated from traditional institutions, because it does not always depend on physical classrooms. It also expands individual choice with regard to when and where they undertake learning. This study investigates the problems, challenges and possibilities of implementing e-learning in Arab educational institutions through analyzing the attitudes of students, academics and policy makers towards e-learning and ICT.

This study depends mainly on three data instruments: Questionnaire, interview and previous studies. A questionnaire designed and distributed to academics, students, and policy makers in government and private institution. The semi-structured interview is mainly designed for data collection. The interviewees are e-learning experts who are involved in the e-learning system.

An important finding of the survey was that the older respondents express more conservative attitudes towards e-learning and ICT. It may be attributed to the level of knowledge that each group has about ICT, e-learning and educational technologies.

The study concludes that there is a growing demand for more authentic learning opportunities and simulated experiences in the Arab world which e-learning can provide.