Investigating the necessity of having digital repositories in postbasic education in Oman

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Main Researcher, Arab Open University, Oman.

2 Arab Open University, Oman.

3 Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.

4 Ministry of Education, Oman.

5 Helwan University, Egypt.

6 Dar Al-Fatwa, Egypt.

Abstract

E-Learning is a method of delivering educational experiences through computers and internet networks in a multi-source interactive learning environment. As a result, the teacher can support and assist the learner at any time, whether synchronously or asynchronously, and thus departs from the concept of the teaching and learning process being limited within the classroom walls. The problem of e-learning accessibility in any educational community appears and grows over time, especially as the community's stock of knowledge grows, necessitating the availability of that knowledge in all of its forms to the beneficiaries (knowledge repository), as well as a mechanism that allows everyone to safely access that knowledge and make the most of it in order to achieve the desired learning outcomes, improve them, and bring them to the highest level of achievement. The current study sought to investigate the necessity of having digital repositories in post-basic education in Oman, to provide students with different learning experience using interactive e-learning content. A questionnaire was conducted for 50 teachers in the Sultanate of Oman to find out the extent of their need for having digital repositories for the postbasic education stage. The results shows that most teachers (81.53%, Mean= 4.11) agree to establish a digital repository. Finally, the study suggested a model for developing the digital repositories for teachers and students in Omani schools.

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