Is E-Learning finally g aining l egitimacy in Saudi Arabia?

1. Is E-Learning finally gaining legitimacy in Saudi Arabia? Dr. Abdulrahman A. Mirza King Saud University

2. Education is something that all members of the society, young and old, male and female, should be encouraged to pursue in any legitimate means possible

3. E-learning • E-learning is a development in pedagogical thinking that cannot be ignored or rejected. • E-learning offers students with the convenience and flexibility of studying at their own pace and when their busy schedule permits. • An additional advantage to some students include the secluded and private nature of the e-learning environment.

4. For students who do not like to interact in classroom discussions, or who fear being called upon by the instructor to answer questions, e-learning can provide a safe fear-free environment E-Learning

5. E-Learning • Disadvantages and drawbacks • Any suggestions….?

6. Disadvantages and drawbacks • E-learning as a highly technical educational methodology requires some high initial costs to set-up • There is also the difficulty that some faculty or students may find in dealing with the technology. • Faculty may need training, some students may not be computer literate, have difficulty utilizing this form of education.

7. Disadvantages and drawbacks • Another problem has to deal with the lack of face-to-face interaction between the faculty and students. • Another may be the fact that not all students are good self-motivators, and hence, they may easily fall behind • Another may be the inability to assess performance

8. Online or offline • E-learning can be categorized into two main categories, synchronous and asynchronous • With synchronous e-learning students can be involved in a course that meets online with the faculty member through streaming audio and video at a predetermined time. • With asynchronous learning, a student can participate in the learning activity at the most suitable time for him or her.

9. Asynchronous and synchronous • Asynchronous email wikis blogs supplemented by synchronous options such as text and audio and video chat • Both student centred • Importance of peer-to-peer interactions • Self-study

10. Basic requirements • Students studying through either synchronous or asynchronous e-learning should have the benefits of university or college provided e-learning tools.

11. Synchronous v. asynchronous • Both methods face issues: • Technology • Costs of teaching/learning • Technical skills • Social barriers • All have access and opportunity to provide comment • Difficult to log on at certain times • Motivational skills

12. A category of tools called learning management systems (LMS) is typically utilized with e-learning. • Allow students the ability to download course material, submit their homework assignments electronically, check their course grades, and communicate with other students in the same classroom.

13. Video and audio recordings of actual physical lectures involving interactions between faculty and students, digital capture of a faculty's PC during the lecture, as well as writings on whiteboards can all be made available to students through the Internet

14. Students who can attend a physical lecture can also take advantage of these capabilities in what is called a blended e-learning environment. • Allows students who are interested in a face-to-face learning experience the ability to also be active e-learners.

15. King Saud University also started this year an ambitious plan towards the provision of e-learning facilities to its students. The previously called Television Broadcasting Center has been recently renamed to the Deanship of E-Learning.