How the Regular Teaching Converted to Fully Online Teaching in Saudi Arabia during the Coronavirus COVID-19

Abstract

During the Coronavirus COVID19 crisis, most of the affected countries forced the stay-home policy, which causes workers from many sectors to continue their work from home. Schools, colleges, and universities are conducting teaching activities through the internet. The online education used for many years to support the regular education. However, in this crisis, educational institutions are switched into 100% online teaching. There are many challenges associated with this transition, which makes us rethink about prioritizing education spending and put online education upfront. Also, it is time to rewrite the risk policies and consider biological threats as one of the possible risks that obstruct regular education. In this study, we highlighted the experience of a mid-size college in Saudi Arabia with this circumstance. We evaluated this experience from its beginning to the end of the semester. We summarized many lessons learned from this experience how to mitigate the effect associated with the crisis.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and educational aspects of Saudi university students’ lives

“…Immediacy: With the first case of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia reported on March 2, 2020, many precautionary and preventive measures were taken, including imposing a curfew and closing universities on March 8, 2020 [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]. The immediacy is apparent from the closeness and connection of these measures to the aspects of community life, including university students’ lives to protect them and prevent the outbreak of the pandemic.…”

“…In terms of transport restrictions, a 24-hour curfew was imposed immediately in the holy cities of Makkah (where this study conducted) and Medina with movement restricted to only essential travel between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. [ 4 ]. All universities and educational institutions, including public and private schools and technical and vocational training institutions, were closed [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]. In terms of daily social activities, all sports centers and gyms, as well as all amusement parks and entertainment zones in malls, were closed.…”

“…The 24-hour curfew went into effect almost immediately in many cities, including Makkah (commonly known in the western world as Mecca) which was one of the first Saudi cities to be placed under a full-day curfew from April 2, 2020 ‘until further notice’ [ 5 ]; residents were only permitted throughout the curfew to leave their houses for essential needs between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. within their residential area [ 3 , 4 ]. The suspension of all universities and educational institutions to contain the COVID-19 outbreak was followed directly by the activation of online education during the suspension period [ 3 , 6 ].…”

“…That these measures and other precautionary and preventive measures were put in place in a short period of time resulted in many inquiries about their expected consequences on students’ lives as students shifted to an at-home, virtual learning experience during the COVID-19 outbreak [ 6 , 7 ]. This study aims to explore and identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and educational lives of Saudi university students during the period of outbreak which is ongoing until the date of conducting this study in Makkah city.…”

“…With increasing rates of COVID-19 infection, the Saudi Arabian government took quick and drastic steps to contain the outbreak. Among these urgent measures were a 24-hour curfew and the suspension of all universities and educational institutions with a shift to online education for all students [ 4 , 6 , 7 ].…”