Title: FACTORS DETERMINING DEMAND FOR BLENDED LEARNING POST-COVID-19 IN SAUDI ARABIA
Author:
Hisham J. Bardesi
Abstract:
This research explores the factors affecting blended earnings post-COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected through an online survey of 1142 students in the Spring of 2024 at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). A five-point Likert scale assessed the significance of factors affecting the demand for blended earnings. Comparative tests were carried out on three aspects: the benefits of learning, factors contributing to its success, and elements that attract students. These tests aimed to determine if there were differences in opinions based on participants’ demographic information. The study results highlighted the importance of the factors considered, emphasizing that aspects influencing the demand for blended learning primarily center around program quality, alignment with students’ preferences, cost suitability, institutional framework, technical readiness, expertise, flexibility in time and space, technical/Internet infrastructure, and academic and technical support.

Furthermore, the study, using comparative tests for the three main areas, found no statistically significant differences in the opinions of the study sample regarding most demographic factors (marital and job status, monthly income, place of residence, level of experience in computing, and internet applications and previous experience with e-learning), towards the factors that contribute to determining the demand for blended education. However, the study found statistically significant differences in a few demographic factors in some of the three main study areas; it was found that females, e-learning students, literary students, postgraduate students, students aged between (31-38), and student nationality play a significant role in determining the demand for blended learning, as they have higher inclinations towards it.
Keywords: Blended Learning, e-Learning, Demand for Blended Learning, Determining Factors, Saudi Arabia.
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