Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Exploring Challenges and Issues Faced by Faculty Members in Utilizing Blackboard within Higher Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (An Empirical Study of King Saud University)(LIMERICK UNIVERSITY, 2024) Alqahtani, Mohammed; Murray, LiamThis study addresses a crucial issue pertaining to the influence of the design and user interface of a learning management systems (LMSs), known as Blackboard, on the pedagogical performance of faculty members at King Saud University in terms of their employed teaching methods. The study considers system design and user interface as independent variables, while teaching methods are regarded as the dependent variable. The research aims to provide answers to the following specific inquiries: - How do faculty members at Saudi universities perceive Blackboard as a digital platform that replaces traditional teaching methods? - How do faculty members at Saudi universities critically evaluate the design of the Blackboard system? - How do faculty members at Saudi universities critically evaluate the user interface of the Blackboard system? Due to the intricate nature of human-computer interactions, interview alone may not offer sufficient information. Consequently, the researcher adopted mixed methodology research techniques, which involved conducting interviews with five teachers from the targeted institution and gathering 77 teacher responses through online questionnaires. The study received approximately 212 responses to the three open-ended questions on the survey which was distributed with the questionnaire. The data collected from both interviews and surveys facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the system design and user interface of each LMS in relation to the employed teaching methods. The findings of the study underscore the substantial impact of LMS designs on system effectiveness and provide evidence of how variations in system design influence the overall user experience. The conclusions assert that the Blackboard system, particularly at the University of King Saud, significantly contributes to the educational process by enhancing both learning and teaching. The researcher conducted interviews with five teachers who utilized the Blackboard system during the coronavirus pandemic. The data were tabulated using NVivo software, which is regarded as being one of the most effective programs for analyzing text-based data as it has the ability to enhance the qualitative research process by expediting the analysis of textual data, which would otherwise be done manually. In conclusion, the recommendations include prioritizing multilingual support, implementing thorough training for instructors, ensuring prompt system updates and technical support, expanding language alternatives, and establishing a user feedback mechanism within Blackboard. Moreover, there is a call for a longitudinal study on LMS roles beyond the pandemic. This emphasizes the importance of researching how adaptable LMS is to evolve educational requirements and assessing its support for diverse learning methods over time.3 0Item Restricted Perceptions of Marketing Students Using Smartphone Applications (Apps) in Distance Education in the College of Business Administration at Umm-Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia(Niagara University, 2024-08-23) Alazwari, Maha Abbas; Polka, WalterOur world is a rapidly changing society, surrounded by local and global challenges, the most important of which are technological and technical developments, and global openness represented by the spread of communication networks, the Internet, and others. Perhaps the most important of these technologies is what is known as smartphone applications (apps), through which millions of people participate, each according to his/ her interest and inclinations. Digital technology in general and smartphone apps on the network in particular are among the new innovations in human society that have changed human communication patterns. Considering that distance education is one of the components of this society, and one of its basic elements in the process of promotion and development. The educational system must know how to benefit from the use of smartphone apps in education in order to raise the level of knowledge and promote sustainable development. According to the Saudi government's Vision 2030, digital transformation is a crucial, conclusive, and practical approach that intends to facilitate and hasten the government's transformation in an efficient manner. One of the key goals of this vision is to enhance the quality of higher education in Saudi Arabia by adopting innovative technologies and approaches, including the use of digital platforms in education. KSA is planning on ranking at least 5 Saudi universities among the top 200 universities in the world by 2030. In the past, Saudi Arabia's education policy was entirely based on traditional education, with no consideration for digital platforms. There are specific previous studies looking at the use of educational smartphone apps in distance education by marketing students. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the impact of using smartphone apps as an educational tool on learning goals and learning outcomes of Marketing students' in the College of Business Administration at Umm Al-Qura University. Also, this study was to explore the impact the usefulness and ease of use of smartphone apps on the adoption of smartphone apps in distance education within the College of Business Administration at UQU Saudi Arabia. There were 240 responses from marketing students in the quantitative part, and 8 faculty members participated in the qualitative part of the study. Overall, the results showed strong support for the hypotheses especially when isolating ease of use and usefulness: learning goals and learning outcomes are indeed significantly mediated by ease of use and usefulness thereby driving adoption and learning outcomes. Direct effects of gender as a moderating variable were found for learning goals and adoption: females were less inclined to feel that apps were well integrated into learning goals but nevertheless were inclined to engage in greater adoption of the app. Future studies could delve deeper into individual motivations, attitudes, and contextual factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of gender differences in technology acceptance within educational settings.28 0Item Restricted Teachers’ Perceptions of EFL Students’ Motivation in Blended Learning Using Blackboard(University of Glasgow, 2023) Ashkan, Layal; Marshall, CharlesAbstract Teaching English online has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its convenience and flexibility, necessitating a deeper understanding of the dynamics that influence student motivation in virtual classrooms. This study aims to investigate Saudi EFL teachers' perceptions of Blackboard as an educational tool for the students’ motivation and identify the teaching practices they believe are effective. The researcher conducted a thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews to gain insights into Saudi EFL teachers' perceptions of Blackboard as an educational tool. The research findings revealed positive and negative feelings about online learning among Saudi EFL teachers. While some teachers expressed enthusiasm for the potential benefits of using technology in teaching, others raised concerns regarding the challenges associated with online learning. Blackboard was seen as facilitating communication between teachers and students, allowing for instant feedback and exchange of ideas. However, there were also some negative perceptions expressed. Some teachers reported feeling isolated and disconnected from their students in an online learning environment. They highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions and the social aspect of teaching, which could not be fully replicated through digital means. Additionally, technical issues, such as slow internet connections and glitches in the platform, were cited as barriers to effective teaching and learning. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the importance of effective teaching practices when using Blackboard methods. Teachers emphasized the importance of clear instructions and well-designed content to facilitate student learning. They also highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for students to interact and collaborate with their peers and the teacher. Understanding the role of possible selves in Dornyei’s self-motivation theory is crucial in helping students address the real problem with motivation. By encouraging students to explore and envision their future selves, educators can help them make meaningful connections between their academic endeavors and their long-term aspirations. This approach goes beyond short-term rewards and punishments, fostering a genuine desire to learn. By delving into Dornyei's theory and emphasizing the significance of possible selves, educators can better understand student motivation and guide their students more effectively. Encouraging students to explore their possible selves fosters intrinsic motivation and paves the way for a more meaningful and fulfilling educational experience.13 0