The Impact of Gender on the Appropriation and Use of E-learning Tools by Women in the Saudi Arabian University Sector

Abstract

Over the years, there has been a dramatic shift in the education sector with E-learning becoming increasingly integrated into the learning environment. In the Saudi Arabian education sector, the increased demand for educational opportunities has promoted investment in e-learning activities and applications. This study focused on assessing how gender affects the appropriation of e-learning facilities and tools by women in the Saudi Arabian university sector. The assessment also includes an evaluation of the e-learning materials and platforms that are available to female students in the country's university sector. The study was based on the theoretical framework of the Technology Acceptance Model which was used to explore user behavior concerning e-learning technologies. Semi-structured interviews were utilized in the study to explore the experiences of female students in the university sector. There were five participants all of who were female Saudi Arabian nationals within the university sector with prior experience with e-learning platforms. The data and transcripts from the interviews were then analyzed through qualitative coding to establish the findings of the study. Based on the findings, the study established that there were several barriers to education for female students in Saudi Arabia which included social and cultural restrictions as well as the decreased availability of educational opportunities in the country. Gender was also established to have a significant impact on the use and appropriation of e-learning facilities and tools by women in the Saudi Arabian university sector. This impact included a view of e-learning as increasing the availability of educational opportunities and lifting the cultural limitations to their education. Based on these findings, the study recommends that there should be further training of teachers and the development of infrastructure to encourage the use of e-learning facilities.