E-learning in Libya: Reality and Expectations During the Epidemic

Abstract

Facing the new global pandemic of coronavirus has imposed a state of social distancing, isolation, and closure of all educational institutions, which led to a sudden shift to the e-learning option for many countries to enable millions of students to continue learning. However, the implementation of this system in some Arab countries needs a good infrastructure in the e-learning system, including production centers, educational platforms, and good capacity for the increased demand of Internet usage. Despite all these challenges and the political and economic instability that Libya is experiencing, some Libyan universities strive at this time of epidemic in an individual way according to their available resources to implement e-learning, which includes online learning or recorded lectures for the scientific subject to ensure the continuity of the learning process. The current research is based on the hypothesis that e-learning, or distance learning, is a supplement to the traditional education style and not a substitute for it. In this context, the importance of e-learning in the Libyan higher education sector was highlighted, as well as how e-learning can temporarily replace traditional education during the crisis. Finally, various electronic resources were reviewed, including open courseware, educational platforms, and Google applications, to be sustained for e-learning. Also, concluding suggestions and recommendations are presented.