The Acceptability of Online University Degrees in Arab Academia تقبل الدرجات الجامعية الإلكترونية في الأوساط الأكاديمية العربية Dr. Gamal M. M. Mustafa Associate Prof. of Foundations of Education Al-Azhar University, Egypt & Imam University, KSA

Basic Facts In the past few years online enrollment has been growing substantially faster than overall higher education enrollment. More than one in four higher education students now take at least one course online (Allen & Seaman, 2010). In the past few years online enrollment has been growing substantially faster than overall higher education enrollment. More than one in four higher education students now take at least one course online (Allen & Seaman, 2010).

In Arab countries many universities began to offer online programs, either entirely online, or through blended learning. The steady expansion of online education has created considerable controversy regarding the quality of the instruction, educational outcomes, the reputation of the providing institutions, and regulatory policies used to evaluate and manage these important resources. In Arab countries many universities began to offer online programs, either entirely online, or through blended learning. The steady expansion of online education has created considerable controversy regarding the quality of the instruction, educational outcomes, the reputation of the providing institutions, and regulatory policies used to evaluate and manage these important resources. Basic Facts

Challenge !!!!!!!!! ARE THE ONLINE UNIVERSITY DEGREES accepted in the labor market or for further study? ARE THE ONLINE UNIVERSITY DEGREES accepted in the labor market or for further study?

Study Design The study attempts to answer the following questions:

To what extent are the online university degrees accepted in the Arab Academia from the perspectives of faculty members in Arab universities? Are there any significant differences regarding the acceptance of online university degrees in the Arab academia according the study variables : academic position. place of work. academic specialization. place of getting the highest academic degree. studying online courses. teaching online courses. To what extent are the online university degrees accepted in the Arab Academia from the perspectives of faculty members in Arab universities? Are there any significant differences regarding the acceptance of online university degrees in the Arab academia according the study variables : academic position. place of work. academic specialization. place of getting the highest academic degree. studying online courses. teaching online courses.

Literature Review Literature Review reveled that online degrees are distrustful. Carnevale (2005), Monaghan (2009), DeFleur & Adams (2004), Adams (2008) Literature Review reveled that online degrees are distrustful. Carnevale (2005), Monaghan (2009), DeFleur & Adams (2004), Adams (2008)

Methodology The study gathered its data through an online questionnaire which consists of three parts: demographic data about participants. factors affecting the acceptability of online degrees in the Arab academia. an open-ended question. The study gathered its data through an online questionnaire which consists of three parts: demographic data about participants. factors affecting the acceptability of online degrees in the Arab academia. an open-ended question.

Distribution of Respondents

Delimitation Because of the small size of the study sample, the present study just gives indicators about its topic.

Results In line with the literature reviewed, it has been assured that the online university degrees are not equal to traditional ones, and still not highly accepted by faculty in the Arab academia as credits to get a position or acceptance for graduate study.

ضعف الثقة في معايير القبول ببرامج التعلم الإلكتروني

ضعف الثقة في الممارسات التربوية والتعليمية المتبعة في برامج التعليم الإلكتروني

ضعف الثقة في الجامعات والمؤسسات العربية التي توفر برامج الدراسة الجامعية الإلكترونية.

شيوع الاعتقاد بأن مثل تلك البرامج تمثل بابا خلفيا للحصول على درجات جامعية

عدم اعتراف بعض المؤسسات بمثل تلك الشهادات كمؤهلات للتوظيف بها

اللوائح والتنظيمات بالجامعات التقليدية لا تسمح لحملة الشهادات الجامعية الإلكترونية بالالتحاق لاستكمال دراساتهم بها.

The open ended question imagine yourself as a member of a university committee to sort three applicants for a position or further graduate study;  the first got his/her degree traditionally via face to face study.  the second got his/her degree through blended learning.  the third got his/her degree entirely online.

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