The future of blended learning in Saudi Arabia : possibilities and challenges

الملخص EN

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in the instructional process at all levels of education in Saudi Arabia.

After spending 17 months in distance online learning, the 2021 academic year allows for the adoption of a blended learning model, which combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning in different variations.

First, the online learning model on its own is explored and some of the lessons learned during the pandemic are outlined.

Then the article introduces blended learning, which is the central theme, examining its benefits and challenges in the modern educational environment.

The article examines and compares four major elearning platforms that are used for the online aspect of distance and blended learning.

The concept of blended learning is then critically examined regarding its impact on instructors, students, the instructional process, and general institutions of Saudi Arabia.

By all accounts, blended learning is expected to be the future of Saudi Arabia’s educational strategic approach, not only due to the status quo of the pandemic, but because of multiple trends regarding demographics, funding, and technology