An Exploratory Analysis to Assess Computer Literacy and E-learning Among Students: A Case of Eastern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The current study investigated the use of ICT within the schools and higher education sectors in the eastern province of kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The objective is to evaluate how computer literacy and the implementation of e-learning could contribute to the learning and teaching process within the education sector in this area. A cross sectional survey was carried out among students. A website was designed to gather the data through questionnaire and interview. The data was analyzed with routine statistical tools. The results show that the students favorite place to get access to a computer is their home. High percentages of students were capable of working with windows functions and affirmed that computer programs and models helping a great deal in understanding the courses. The study revealed that secondary schools students were hardly using e-learning technologies compared with higher education sector. The research implied fairly good mastery of ICT and student interest in following the development in computer education which opens new outlook to the education sector in this area. However, effective measures to promote the usage of e-learning facilities should be provided and more efforts should be made to improve e-learning facilities in schools.