E-Learning Acceptance and Challenges in the Arab Region

E-Learning

Electronic Learning or what is referred to as “e-Learning” is defined as the delivery and acquisition of education or training in electronic format using electronic media. The latest technology to lend itself to e-learning has been the internet which is now the largest single resource repository for educational establishments (Smith and Hardaker, 2000). During the last few years, e-learning has witnessed growing interest from different directions, which helped in fast promotion and prosperity of these electronic educational activities. Different organizations that were involved in distance education have adopted this new technology and started to offer online learning that was treated as a logical extension to their distance educational activities. Educational institutions have also been involved in promoting for higher interest towards e-learning through incorporating this educational technology to improve access towards their educational programs and to provide a better merge with the current market.(Bates, 2005). The growth of e-learning has also been regarded to the advances in the field of information and communication technologies which has helped in lowering the coast of adopting e-learning services and technology in a better and much effective way.

Despite this massive interest in the e-learning technology, it is not without constraints and limitations. The primary obstacles towards this e-learning technology are the lack of proper infrastructure of information and communication technology (William et al., 2004).

Middle East Scenario

In The Middle East scenario, many Arab universities are taking gigantic steps in their use of e-learning to enhance higher education (Abouchedid and Eid, 2004). The countries surveyed in this investigation were found to be heading in the same direction as far as implementing this technology was concerned. It was also found, however, that the process was rather slow and still at initial stages in some cases due a number of factors such as, political peculiarities; rigidity of government agendas; levels of economic development and technological challenges. The political situation in the region has been facing many challenges. These challenges have had a significant bearing on the different sectors of human activity with education being a case in point. So influential has their impact been that it has affected other areas especially those that have a close relationship with education such the country’s economy, technology and financial status (George, and Davoodi, 2003).