An exploratory study of eLearning challenges and opportunities in the GCC

This ongoing research is aiming at revealing the current reality of eLearning progress in the Countries of Gulf Council (GCC). A number of diverse types of administrative, technical and general challenges and issues related to eLearning are covered. The first focus, reflected in this paper, was Saudi Arabia due to its political, cultural and religious importance in the GCC and in the Middle East more generally but its size as well. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered for the purpose of data collection both online and offline. The data were gathered from individuals and educational institutions of Saudi Arabia, from all walks of life and from various employment statuses. This first part of the exploratory research study recognizes the slow progress of eLearning in Saudi Arabia and suggests that the main reason behind that is the problems in the local telecommunications and other infrastructure as noted by the survey participants and far less the outcome of weaknesses of the established procedures and facilities available by the local eLearning institutions.