## 2 Literature Review
### Online Learning in Saudi Arabia  
It is conceivable to categorize studies on online learning in Saudi Arabia into two main categories based on the emergence of COVID-19. The first group of research was performed before the COVID-19 pandemic began when distance learning was optional. The second group of studies was conducted during the pandemic when educational institutions were compelled to move their educational processes to online channels. Before the spread of COVID-19, most studies were centered around exploring online learning, including its challenges, successes, barriers, policies, adoption, and future trends in this field. For example, in 2014, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [26] conducted an exploration study to assess the growth of distance learning in Saudi Arabia, evaluating its challenges in education, including universities, schools, and training centers. Furthermore, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [27] conducted a study in 2016 to examine the barriers and obstacles hindering the implementation of online learning at the university level. Data from 214 faculty members were quantitatively analyzed using MANOVA to evaluate how demographic factors influence faculty members' perceived barriers to adopting e-learning. The results of the analysis indicated that external barriers like insufficient internet connectivity and limited IT assistance were identified as the main barriers to implementing e-learning. Internal obstacles, including a lack of incentives, were ranked second in importance, while barriers across internal and external sources, such as faculty overload, were least mentioned. Additionally, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [28] performed research in 2017 to provide insights into the critical success factors for e-learning, specifically from the viewpoint of e-learning managers in three main universities of Saudi Arabia, including Kind Saud University, Majmaah University, and Qassim University. The data were gathered through in-person interviews with seven key individuals at these academic institutions, which were subsequently analyzed qualitatively. The results of the study revealed that instructors' familiarity with educational technologies, students' proficiency in digital systems, and the IT infrastructure were the key success factors identified. The above-mentioned studies were conducted before the emergence of COVID-19. These studies exhibited similarities in terms of the main ideas and the topic. They are focused on the challenges, obstacles, and success factors that could impact the implementation of online learning. It indicates that educational institutions at that time faced obstacles that caused them to be hesitant to implement online learning on a large scale. The appearance of COVID-19 forced educational institutions to implement online learning, impactingthe research field at that time. Researchers continued to study the challenges and obstacles of online learning, as well as the experience, attitudes, and perceptions of online learning among students and educators. A study was carried out by [PERSON] [29] in 2021 to examine undergraduates' attitudes toward the effectiveness of online learning activities through the Blackboard platform. This study was conducted at three Saudi universities, Taibah University, Hail University, and Al-Baha University, during the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities included the assigned assessment tasks, online learning preference, efficiency, participation, and achievements. The data were collected via an internet-based questionnaire, and the analysis was conducted based on 333 responses from bachelor's degree students majoring in various education disciplines. The study's results demonstrated that distance learning has the potential to be effective. However, students expressed concerns regarding assignments, examinations, and assessment methods. Comparable to the aforementioned study, [PERSON] et al. [30] examined the attitudes of school students toward online learning during the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the Madrasati platform.