Barriers and opportunities of e-learning implementation in Iraq: a case of public universities

Although the implementation of e-learning initiatives has reached advanced stages in developed countries, it is still in its infancy in many developing nations and the Middle East in particular. Recently, few public universities in Iraq have initiated limited attempts to use e-learning alongside traditional classrooms. However, different obstacles are preventing successful adoption of this technology. The present research aimed to highlight challenges that hinder effective implementation of e-learning in Iraq and recommend possible solutions to tackle them. A total of 108 respondents voluntarily participated in this research. They consisted of academic staff (N=74), professors in charge of e-learning (N=3), and undergraduate students (N=31). Three methods were used to collect data: a survey instrument, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. Data was then analyzed and reported quantitatively and qualitatively. This provided in-depth understanding to the current status of e-learning in public Iraqi universities and highlighted major hindrances of its successful application. Based on this analysis, the study proffered many recommendations that should be considered in order to fully benefit from e-learning technologies

Role of the Internet in Narrowing the Digital Divide between the Members of the Jordanian Society during the Coronavirus Crisis

The goal of this research was to see how the internet helped to bridge the digital divide between Jordanians during the Coronavirus outbreak. A quantitative approach is adopted. 210 questionnaire forms were distributed randomly to the members of the sample through using: (https://docs.google.com). They were distributed using email and WhatsApp. 200 forms were analyzed. They represent 95% of the distributed forms. The questionnaire consists of 20 statements. It was found that there is a digital divide between the members of Jordanian society. It was found that the availability of smart devices and the internet enables the members of Jordanian society to overcome this divide. Such availability enables the members of the Jordanian society to acquire knowledge, including knowledge about the Coronavirus. The current study was carried out during the Coronavirus outbreak. As a result, it will play an important role in closing the digital divide between members of Arab societies in general and Jordanians in particular. It will play an important role in encouraging Jordanians to work together with policymakers to enhance the country\u27s IT infrastructure. The present study adopts a simple methodology for measuring the digital divide between the members of the Jordanian society during the Coronavirus crisis. Narrowing this divide is needed in the light of having many sectors not operating. The present study is the first study in the world that aimed to measure the impact of the Coronavirus crisis on the digital divide. The researcher aimed to explore that, because of the Coronavirus crisis-affected internet users in Jorda

ADOPTION OF E-LEARNING IN SAUDI ARABIAN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: THREE FACTORS AFFECTING EDUCATORS

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an important if not crucial trend in 21st century learning and education. The adoption of ICT as an educational process has led to improved teaching and learning processes, both inside and outside the classroom. Among the many advantages of ICT technology is that it allows students and teachers to communicate outside the classroom and utilise new techniques and skills. The adoption of ICT in teaching has undoubtedly improved learning and teaching processes, on the other hand there are some factors are hindering the successful implementation. This paper reviews the literature as it pertains to factors affecting effective application of eLearning for educators and students in educational institutions in Saudi Arabia Universities. Through a search of academic databases, 32 relevant literature studies and reviews were identified for the Saudi Arabian context; most were directly concerned with Saudi Arabia’s higher education sector, while others country-specific studies were included when deemed appropriate. Based on the review the literature, this paper concluded that ‘lack of time’, ‘lack of training’ and ‘lack of institutional support’ were the major factors influencing faculty members’ decision to adopt and utilise ICT in teaching practice. In terms of solutions to the challenges identified, reducing academic staffs’ workload to allow them to have more time to use E-learning tools, alongside the provision of sufficient and practical training and institutional support for academic staff should be considered as essential to the successful implementation of technology in education.   Article visualizations

Moving towards a knowledge-based economy: What is needed to enable science, technology and innovation in post-revolutionary Egypt.

The purpose of this research is to examine the current state of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Egypt. Provide a careful view of the obstacles and challenges Egypt is facing in enhancing its STI system and how this is hindering Egypt’s transformation to a knowledge-based economy. Applying qualitative methods through in-depth interviews with the different experts from the field along with research conducted helped develop policy recommendations that could act as a road map that guide us in our pursuit for revolutionary transformation. The research findings indicate that the process of transformation to a knowledge-based economy is a holistic process; it requires full commitment and participation from government, policy makers and the people, it requires a vision that would unite the efforts and hard work towards achieving a certain goal to be able to reap the success of many of the exemplary attempts initiated, and requires bottom-up approach in setting the ground, changing the culture and building the right foundation that would lead us to a sustainable knowledge-based society

The e-government implementation directions in Oman: A preliminay investigation

Electronic government has established itself as the primary enabler for transforming the way government services are offered to citizens. In the gulf countries, public sector transformation efforts are focused towards increasing accessibility, availability, competitive advances and enhancing services in civil administration. The Sultanate of Oman is one such example of the Gulf countries where large investments have been made since 2003 to implement electronic services in the public sector. Using a qualitative research approach, this research investigates the improvements that have been made to facilitate these electronic services in three public organisations, and their resulting impact within the organisations. The empirical results reveal that among others, top management support, integration and IT staff skills and capabilities are the most important factors that facilitate e-government initiatives in the Omani public sector

The role of academic libraries in supporting distance learning in Saudi higher education: a case study approach

This study aimed to investigate the role of academic libraries in Saudi higher education in supporting distance learning (DL) in the country. Two cases, known for their history of offering DL programmes in the country, were selected. These were Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University (IMBSIU) in Riyadh and King Abdul-Aziz University (KAU) in Jeddah. A mixed methodology, which included both qualitative and qualitative approaches, was used. Triangulation of data collections methods was achieved by implementing a document analysis, interviews and questionnaires. The results indicated that DL in the country is transforming traditional approaches into fully automated techniques through the implementation of e-learning via the Internet; the Saudi government is supporting this approach. However, the results also showed that policies of academic libraries lack rules which recognise DL stakeholders right to be served and supported. Little or no co-operation was found to exist between academic libraries and DL deanships in both case studies; this could hinder the efforts made by academic libraries to serve and support DL stakeholders. In addition, textbooks were found to be the main source of learning and teaching in DL, thus reducing the desire of DL stakeholders to use their academic library. The lack of DL guidelines was found to be responsible for making distance learners less likely to use information resources other than textbooks. Official interactions were weak between DL stakeholders, especially learners with their instructors, and with academic and non-academic support such as academic library services. This was found to be responsible for a lack of academic library support specifically designed for DL stakeholders, and many other factors relating to the existing condition of academic libraries were also found to be significant in failing to recognize the right of DL stakeholders to be served. However, overall, participants attitudes toward the importance of academic libraries in supporting DL stakeholders were positive. Moreover, participants expressed a desire to find solutions as soon as possible to overcome the current lack of information services designed for DL stakeholders. According to this study s results, several recommendations have been formulated related mainly to the importance of building co-operation between academic libraries and DL deanships in the country. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for DL stakeholders needs and rights to be recognised and supported by any means in order to improve the quality of DL. Hence, several models/solutions, which can be implemented in either the short or the long term, are proposed here in order to provide solutions for the current lack of information services being offered to DL stakeholders by both academic libraries and DL deanships

The Impact of E-commerce on the Development of Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia

This paper is based on a Ph.D. study investigating the critical challenges facing e-commerce adoption by entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia, identifying the major driving factors, barriers, motivations, perceived advantages, potential problems and some practical solutions as well as future expectations from entrepreneurs’ perspectives. From the study findings, a set of practical recommendations were derived for the government, entrepreneurs and investors in Saudi Arabia to consider, to promote ecommerce entrepreneurship in the county. The research was undertaken using a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with (1) e-commerce entrepreneurs, and (2) government authorities, educational initiatives and private support institutions. Data collected was thematically analyzed. The findings led to the identification of five significant factors that were found to influence e-commerce related entrepreneurial activities in Saudi Arabia, leading to both “necessity entrepreneurship” and “opportunity entrepreneurship”: 1) government and institutional funding and financing, 2) government and institutional education and training, 3) government policies and legislation, 4) infrastructure and 5) gender and the cultural environment

Cyber-feminism and facebook: A comparative study of Arab Women\u27s Organization activity in Tunisia, Lebanon, and Egypt

“[The Internet] encourages each of us to communicate and connect—not only with women who seem like us, but with those who are unfamiliar. And, in the process of opening our eyes, minds, and hearts to new horizons, we can help shape a future of understanding, acceptance, and peace” (Queen Rania of Jordan, 2007) (Wheeler, 2008). Displaying women’s current access to social media platforms such as Facebook, the study employs a comparative study on a number of Women’s Rights organizations in diverse Arab countries from the Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia) by identifying, monitoring and focusing on the differentials in: interactivity and issues tackled on the SNSs (Social Networking Websites) such as Facebook

The Role of the Electronic Journalism in the Political Reform Processes

The present study aimed to explore the role of the electronic journalism in the political reform processes. The researcher adopted a descriptive analytical approach. He used a questionnaire that consists from 14 items. The population consists from all the students enrolled at public universities in Jordan. A random sample was selected. It consists from 200 female and male students.  It was found that the extent of following the electronic news by the university students in Jordan is high from their perspective. It was found that the electronic journalism play a very significant role in the political reform processes from the perspective of the students enrolled at public universities in Jordan. The researcher recommends increasing the engagement of students in the discussions held on news websites and blogs in order to promote political awareness. Keywords: Electronic journalism, political reform DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-15-18 Publication date:May 31st 2020

Challenges for Teaching and Learning Information and Communication Technology Courses in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: A Review

Teaching and learning ICT courses in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania is facing    various challenges. This study, examined challenges facing teaching and learning of ICT courses in HLIs in Tanzania. Variables including limited access of ICT hardware and software, weak government policies, poor ICT infrastructure, lack of competent ICT staff, poor institutions’ coordination and curriculum variation, high cost imposed on ICT tools, little government funding, reluctance to use ICT tools in teaching and learning, lack of practical training, limited capacity of ICT hardware and software were studies using quantitative approach. Thirteen (13) current papers (2010-2014) related to the study were reviewed to extract the challenges which appear most frequently. Percentages and frequencies of ten (10) studied variables were computed and presented using a table and bar graph. The findings show that   limited access of ICT hardware and software, poor ICT infrastructure, lack of competent ICT staff, little government funding, lack of practical training and poor institutions’ coordination are significant challenges hindering teaching and learning of ICT courses in  HLIs in Tanzania. The study recommends that, policy makers should sharply concentrate with first priority to tackle the most critical challenges instead of dealing with a multitude of challenges, an approach which may not be fruitful for quick improvement given limited resources facing the nation. Key words: Challenges, ICT, Higher Learning Institutions, Learning and Teachin