Evaluating the Distance Learning Experience in light of the Spread of the Corona Pandemic - Covid 19 from the Teachers' Point of View in Islamic Science Institutes in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the distance learning experience in light of the spread of the Corona pandemic - Covid19 - from the teachers' point of view in Islamic Science Institutes in the Sultanate of Oman, which was applied during the second semester of the 2019/2020 academic year. The study sample consisted of (77) teachers from The Islamic Science Institutes of The Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science. The researchers prepared a questionnaire to evaluate the reality of the experience. The study results  revealed, the followings: The Department of Educational Affairs and Training at The Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science was able to a moderate degree in the rapid transition to a distance learning system following the suspension of studies due to the spread of the Coronavirus - Covid19 -; the teachers see to a high degree the importance of applying the distance learning system; the Microsoft Teams educational platform that was used to teach in the distance learning system was appropriate at a high level; and that although the teachers’ readiness appeared to a high degree, the students’ readiness was low according to the teachers’ point of view. The study also found that there was a group of challenges facing the application of the distance learning system, the most important of which were the weak infrastructure for internet and communications networks and the lack of computers for teachers and students. The results of the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) also found that there were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores on the distance education questionnaire in The Islamic Science Institutes according to teachers' specializations and years of practical experience and the interaction between these two variables. This confirms that teachers’ opinions about the learning system experience are similar regardless of their specializations or years of practical experience. Finally, the researchers recommended a set of recommendations, the most important of which is the continuation of continuous training for teachers and students on modern technologies that serve the application of the distance learning system. They also suggested conducting more studies on the reality of applying the distance learning system in various educational institutions in the Sultanate of Oman.