e-LEARNING IN THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COUNTRIES (GCC): PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

摘要

Current E-learning initiatives in the Gulf CooperationrnCouncil (GCC) member nations of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,rnQatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait can bernfruitfully examined together due to similarities in history,rnculture, and political structure. Serious issues include:rnmoderate internet penetration rates, computer illiteracy,rnlack of Arabic language learning objects and the lack ofrnautonomous, self-directed learning populations.rnHowever, the future of E-learning throughout the Gulfrnregion is bright because of the centralization of ICTrnresources, recent large-scale and direct governmentrninvestment, partnerships with ASEAN e-vendors andrnvirtual universities (Malaysia, Syria, Singapore), and thernpotential of web-based education to alleviate some of thernpedagogical problems, unique to Gulf societies,rnassociated with institutional gender segregation.