Higher education teachers' and students' attitudes towards e-learning and distance education: A comparative study in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Al-Anezi, F. M.

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and technology usage skills of higher education teachers and students towards e-learning and distance education in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, and it was distributed to 1787 participants. The mean (M) and the standard deviation (SD) of the scores of students (M = 3.85, SD = 1.25) and teachers (M = 3.88, SD = 1.44) reflected that the participants had good technological skills. Also, the scores of the students (M = 3.7, SD = 1.38) and teachers (M = 3.94, SD = 1.43) indicated that the respondents had positive attitudes towards e-learning. Likewise, the scores of the students (M = 3.8, SD = 1.29) and teachers (M = 4, SD = 1.36) revealed that the participants had positive attitudes towards distance education. Furthermore, significant differences in technology skills and attitudes were observed among male and female students and teachers;and among young and old students and teachers. Consequently, a positive change can be made in the attitudes of students and teachers towards e-learning and distance education, and the universities must develop these strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.