APPLICATION OF ELECTRONIC EVALUATION TOOLS IN BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTH AL BATINAH GOVERNORATE IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN: A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES
This qualitative study aimed to diagnose the applying of electronic evaluation tools in the social studies subject in Al-Batinah South schools, through the social studies teachers' perspectives. The problem has arisen in the lack of electronic calendar tools applications, due to the lack of capabilities of the parameters in the application of electronic calendar tools, due to the weakness of the infrastructure, which is related to the telecommunications and networks sector. The objectives of the study: To diagnose the electronic evaluation tools that are applied, the electronic programs used in those applications, with an indication of the advantages of the application and the applications' challenges. The study adopted the qualitative approach, the size of the study population reached (15) schools, and a sample of (15) social studies teachers who attended practical training for continuous electronic evaluation programs were selected, where individual interviews were conducted with them. Data was analyzed using the content analysis method. After analyzing the results of the interviews, the following results were reached: From the tools applied by social studies teachers, to evaluate students ’learning, electronic assignments, short questions, electronic tests, from the programs used in the application of tools Google drive, Zid jard, Padelt, as well as the advantages of applying tools. Electronic calendar, as the teachers affirmed the students ’desire to interact with applications of electronic assessment tools and the interactive solution, follow-up of student achievement, statistical analysis of student results, and reveal weaknesses and goals that students did not achieve. As for the challenges that teachers faced, they were the lack of computers, the weakness of the network while performing tests and interactive activities, the students ’lack of experience in dealing with these programs. The study recommended continuing to apply electronic calendar tools for their importance in e-learning. They are considered appropriate tools for evaluation in the digital age, and they can be used to avoid students interrupting direct education during crises.