Online learning in Saudi Arabia – Global praise for education developing efforts during the Coronavirus crisis
We cannot deny the exceptional last and current academic year, with the high spread of Coronavirus “Covid-19” and the negative effect of precautionary measures on traditional education, which lead to the shift towards online learning in Saudi Arabia.
All these actions forced students all over the world to switch to online learning, as they caused the largest interruption of education in history “affecting 1.6 billion students in 190 countries around the world”, But when we see the “glass half full”, the misfortunes of some are advantages to others, how?!
The world treats online learning now as a lifeline that helps students complete their educational process successfully; At a local level, the trend towards online learning in Saudi Arabia came also in line with “Saudi vision 2030” by developing and enhancing students’ capabilities.
This, of course, comes under the relentless patronage of His Highness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
We identify Saudi Arabia’s ideal efforts to present the online learning process in the most beautiful way possible:
The Saudi Arabia strategy to deal with the education process during the Coronavirus pandemic:
Gatherings are one of the biggest factors that caused the high spread of Coronavirus!; Therefore, Saudi Arabia had to deal strategically with this pandemic by preventing gatherings, and thus closing schools.
So, to integrate this strategy, the Saudi Arabia government consisted it into two aspects:
The health aspect:
- Reduce reliance on traditional education as the main education source.
- Ensure the strict applied of all preventive measures and social distancing in all educational institutions.
- Educate students and parents, by providing awareness programs within schools and media.
The educational aspect:
The trend towards online learning in Saudi Arabia was a quantum leap that enables students to complete their educational journey perfectly during the Coronavirus crisis.
As the Saudi Ministry of Education immediately launched a wide range of distinguished educational platforms, such as the “Madrasati” platform and Ain Channels.
The Ministry of Education has also prepared a set of extraordinary practical training courses to enable all teachers, parents, and students to use online learning technologies perfectly.
This successful shift towards online learning in Saudi Arabia has encouraged various types of public, private, and international schools to do the same, Saudi Arabia’s pioneering experience in online learning also includes allocating three “Ain” channels to special education students.
As a result, we can confirm that we are living now a national success story that the world witnesses brilliance.
The successful efforts of the Ministry of education to provide online learning in Saudi Arabia:
With the cooperation of Harvard University, The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) carried out a study on online learning in Saudi Arabia.
This study showed the outstanding success of KSA in this aspect, through:
- Saudi Arabia has progressed in 13 out of 16 readiness indicators.
- The organization praised the integrated strategy that achieves inclusion in online learning in Saudi Arabia.
- Also, the organization praised the governmental and private agencies’ efforts in supporting teachers to overcome the obstacles that face them towards making the ideal use of online learning.
The numbers language also confirms these efforts deserve that praise, because:
- “Madrasati” platform achieved 92% of Saudi students’ attendance.
- 97% of teachers’ attendance.
- 37% of parents’ attendance.
- “Madrasati” trained over 389 thousand trainees working in education-related jobs.
But we emphasize that online learning in Saudi Arabia couldn’t achieve all these successes without:
- The existence of the Saudi sustainable investment in the technical infrastructure.
- The amazing governmental, private educational leaders, and parents’ cooperation.
The pros and cons of online learning:
Benefits of online learning:
- Flexibility: online learning enables students to achieve their educational attainment ideally in a time and place which fits their needs.
The great importance of this feature appears in applying the online learning process during the Coronavirus crisis.
- Ability to influence: Having the ability to use the latest technology contributes to leaving a greater impact on students’ minds.
- Integration: It provides the student with a wide variety of scientific resources.
- Save time: It saves efforts and time spent by the student back from school.
- Motivate students: Online learning motivates students to gain the greatest possible educational attainment.
- Self-reliance: Online learning helps the students to become completely self-reliant.
how?! by dealing with technology, recording their observations, and searching for information personally.
Disadvantages of online learning:
- Lack of social awareness:
A large group of societies may not accept online learning as an effective method to complete education.
- The generality of online learning:
Some students need personal education to reach the maximum benefit. That may be an obstacle with some online learning methods.
- Effective online learning methods need a strong infrastructure of Internet connection, which may be absent from a group of Arab countries.
Rowad Al-Khaleej International Schools significant role in online learning in Saudi Arabia:
Rowad Al Khaleej International Schools have a tremendous role in dealing with this current phase of education interruption in the world.
As we have designed a new form of online learning in Saudi Arabia, through our most integrated virtual classrooms.
These virtual classes include a group of exceptional interactive activities that help develop students’ creative thinking skills.
Plus, Rowad Al-Khaleej International Schools provide educational and entertaining content for children on various educational and social media platforms to motivate and help them complete their educational journey efficiently.
Rowad Al- Khaleej International Schools also provide various tips for parents, through which they learn how to deal with their children and help them achieve psychological and educational balance during this critical era.