Journal Article

Critical success factors for eLearning in Saudi Arabian universities

Alhabeeb, Abdullah, Rowley, Jennifer

2017

Overview

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the development of eLearning systems and the perceptions of key players in the management of eLearning systems in three large universities in Saudi Arabia. It establishes the relative importance of different factors and compares these findings with studies conducted elsewhere in the world. Design/methodology/approach Desk research was conducted to gather a profile of the eLearning initiatives in the participating universities. Structured interviews were conducted with senior managers with responsibility for implementing and promoting eLearning in their universities. The interview protocol prompted discussion of the importance of the following sets of factors in the success and acceptance of eLearning: student characteristics, instructor characteristics, learning environment, instructional design, and support. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Supported by the Saudi Government, the three universities in this study have been developing their eLearning services. The two most important groups of critical success factors in this process were regarded as those related to student and instructor characteristics. Further analysis within each group of factors suggested that participants regarded instructor knowledge with learning technologies and student knowledge of computer systems, and technical infrastructure as important facilitators of success. Amongst instructional design factors, clarity of learning objectives and content quality were regarded as important. Insights are offered as to the reasons for these selections. Originality/value This study furthers earlier research on eLearning managers’ views and contributes to understanding of eLearning and its management in the Middle East.

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited,Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subject: Administrators / College campuses / College Faculty / College Students / Computer Literacy / Demographics / Distance learning / Educational administration / Educational Environment / Educational materials / Educational Resources / Electronic Learning / Foreign Countries / Higher education / Instructional Design / Interactive learning / Learning management systems / Learning Processes / Literature reviews / Online instruction / Psychology of learning / Research Methodology / School environment / Structured Interviews / Student Characteristics / Students / Success / Success factors / Teacher Characteristics / Teaching methods / Teaching Skills / Universities