Towards an effective E-Learning at Sultan Qaboos University: Best Practices and Approaches

Sultan Qaboos University is striving to offer E-Learning services and be a leading institution in this regard. However, the university experience in this regard is still young and in its initial stages. Therefore, this research aims to develop and evaluate new approaches for E-Learning at SQU. A Mixed-method approach will be used in this research; quantitative approach includes survey and qualitative approach includes interviews and document analysis. The outcome of this research includes designing and developing new E-Learning approaches at SQU, and evaluating their effectiveness and all issues associated with these approaches; which includes expense, effort, time, and students' interaction with these approaches. All these approached will be adopted in the course INFO3730 "Search Strategies in the Internet" which will be offered during four semesters. Each semester one approach will be used within the course and evaluate and document all the steps taken to apply this approach. At the end all approached will be documented and a comparisons between them will be reported in the final report of this research.

Sultan Qaboos University is striving to offer E-Learning services and be a leading institution in this regard. However, the university experience in this regard is still young and in its initial stages. Therefore, this research aims to develop and evaluate new approaches for E-Learning at SQU. A Mixed-method approach will be used in this research; quantitative approach includes survey and qualitative approach includes interviews and document analysis. The outcome of this research includes designing and developing new E-Learning approaches at SQU, and evaluating their effectiveness and all issues associated with these approaches; which includes expense, effort, time, and students' interaction with these approaches. All these approached will be adopted in the course INFO3730 "Search Strategies in the Internet" which will be offered during four semesters. Each semester one approach will be used within the course and evaluate and document all the steps taken to apply this approach. At the end all approached will be documented and a comparisons between them will be reported in the final report of this research.

Reviewing the literature in terms of E-Learning shows several international studies highlighting strategies, systems and discussing benefits and also exploring challenges facing E-Learning (Alexander, 2001, Anderson, 2008, Wang, Y. , Wang, H., and Shee, 2007). However, in terms of Omani context, there is lack of literature highlighting E-Learning approaches used in undergraduate or postgraduate programs despite many Omani institutions have gone through E-Learning system several years ago. Therefore, this study is expected to be one of little studies to discuss and highlight the E-learning process practically.