English abstract
This study aimed to identify the needs of e-learning management from the viewpoint of officials in the higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, and to determine whether there were statistical significant differences in their views due to the variables of gender, experience in the field of e-learning, the nature of work and type of institution. It also aimed at drawing a list of the needs to manage e-learning and ways to achieve them. The study followed the Descriptive Method. A questionnaire was developed which consisted of (58) items distributed into two dimensions (needs related to personnel, and needs related to the institution). The first included three sections (planning and organizing, training and interacting with others, follow-up and monitoring). The adopted tool validity was tested by presenting it to (16) specialized reviewers and the reliability of the tool was calculated by Cronbach alpha coefficient which was (0.96). The study sample was consisted of (204) officials and e-learning supervisors in (21) governmental and private higher education institutions. The statistical treatment of data was calculated using means, standard deviations, ranks, T-test, and ANOVA.
The following are some of the most important findings of the field study: 1- Estimates of the study sample on the study dimensions and
its sections were at high rank of importance. The needs related to the institution came first followed by those related to the personnel. 2- Estimates of the study sample on the first dimension's sections also scored high rank. Planning and organizing came in the first place, followed by training and interacting with others in the second place, while follow-up and monitoring came in the third place. 3- There were statistical significant differences at the level (a = 0,05) between the study sample estimates' means on the needs related to the institution in favor of females, while there were no statistical significant differences at the level (a = 0,05) between study sample estimates of study sample on the needs related to personnel. 4- There were no statistical significant differences at the level (a = 0,05) between the study sample estimates' means due to the experience in e-learning, nature of work, and institution type in all study dimensions and sections 5- All the statements of the e-learning management needs related to the personnel in the First dimension, were either at very high or high rank of importance. 6- All the statements of the e-learning management needs related to the Institution were at high rank of importance. The Study concluded with recommendations and a proposed list of e-learning management needs to improve e learning management at Omani Higher Education Institutions.
