Utilizing Cloud Computing Technology at the Secondary Education Level in Egypt: Leveraging Cloud Computing Platforms in Secondary Education Dawlat Elsayed Aboutria

Supervisor:
Mohamed Omar Ezzat

Thesis (M.A.)—Nile University, Egypt, 2023 .

"Includes bibliographical references"

Contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................I
DECLARATION..................................................................................................................... II
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................III
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................IV
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...............................................................................................VII
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ VIII
CHAPTER 1..............................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
1.1 BACKGROUND...............................................................................................................1
1.2 CURRENT SITUATION OF THE SECONDARY EDUCATION IN EGYPT: .................3
1.3 CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY AS A SUGGESTED SOLUTION TO
EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES: .........................................................................................6
1.4 THE STRUCTURE OF THIS RESEARCH DOCUMENT: ...............................................7
CHAPTER 2..............................................................................................................................9
CLOUD COMPUTING IN EDUCATION...............................................................................9
2.1 CLOUD COMPUTING:....................................................................................................9
2.2 DIFFERENT WAVES OF COMPUTING:........................................................................9
2.3 CHARACTERISTICS, SERVICE MODELS AND DEPLOYMENT MODELS OF
CLOUD COMPUTING:........................................................................................................11
2.3.1 The five characteristics of Cloud Computing:............................................................11
2.3.2 Cloud Computing service models:.............................................................................11
2.3.3 Cloud Computing deployment models.......................................................................13
2.4 BENEFITS OF APPLYING CLOUD COMPUTING IN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS:...................................................................................................................15
2.5 CLOUD COMPUTING CHALLENGES IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:...........18
2.6 EXAMPLES OF ADOPTING CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY IN OTHER
COUNTRIES: .......................................................................................................................19
2.7 CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICE PROVIDERS:...........................................................23
2.8 CHALLENGES IN THE CURRENT EGYPTIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM:..................25
2.9 REFORM PROGRAM OF THE EGYPTIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM: .........................28
2.10 RESEARCH GAP: ........................................................................................................31
V
CHAPTER 3............................................................................................................................32
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................................32
3.1 THE PROBLEM STATEMENT:.....................................................................................32
3.2 RESEARCH QUESTION:...............................................................................................32
3.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:..............................................................................................32
3.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: ................................................................................33
3.4.1 Increased gap between graduates’ knowledge and market needs: ...............................33
3.4.2 The increased number of students in secondary education in Egypt: ..........................35
3.5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS ........................................................................35
3.6 DATA COLLECTION METHODS:................................................................................37
3.6.1 The Qualitative Data: ................................................................................................38
3.6.2 The Quantitative Data: ..............................................................................................40
3.7 SAMPLE SIZE:...............................................................................................................44
3.8 HYPOTHESIS:................................................................................................................44
3.9 TEST FOR THE STATISTICAL SAMPLE:....................................................................44
3.9.1 Hypothesis test for the statistical sample – Selected questions for ‘Teachers’: ...........44
3.9.2 Regression analysis for the statistical sample – Selected questions for ‘Students’: .....47
CHAPTER 4............................................................................................................................51
RESULTS & DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................51
4.1 ANALYZING SURVEY RESULTS: ..............................................................................51
4.2 ANALYZING FIELD VISIT RESULTS (BRILLIANCE LANGUAGE SCHOOL): .......57
4.2.1 BLS transformation journey to cloud-based educational platforms: ...........................57
4.2.2 Classera Educational Platform:..................................................................................58
4.2.3 Quality Control: ........................................................................................................60
4.2.4 The challenges that faced BLS in applying cloud-computing technology:..................61
4.2.5 The outcomes of having cloud-based educational platform (Classera) on BLS:..........64
4.2.6 BLS future plans: (Other applications for the platform) .............................................65
4.3 PUBLIC SCHOOL SURVEY & FIELD VISIT ANALYSIS: ..........................................66
4.4 PROPOSED PHASES FOR ADOPTING CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY IN
SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EGYPT..................................................................................70
CHAPTER 5............................................................................................................................73
CONCLUSION & FUTURE WORK.....................................................................................73
5.1 SURVEY RESULTS AND BLS FIELD VISIT ...............................................................73
VI
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS:................................................................................................75
5.2.1 Approaches to the transformation process:.................................................................76
5.3 CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS:...........................................................................79
5.4 THE SUGGESTED SOLUTION (CLOUD-EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM):.................80
5.5 BENEFITS OF APPLYING CLOUD COMPUTING IN THE SECONDARY EGYPTIAN
EDUCATION SYSTEM: ......................................................................................................81
5.6 FUTURE RESEARCH: ...................................................................................................83
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................85
APPENDIX 1...........................................................................................................................89
SURVEY ANSWERS FOR THE EDUCATION MODEL ADOPTING CLOUD
COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY ............................................................................................89
APPENDIX 2...........................................................................................................................95
SURVEY ANSWERS FOR THE EDUCATION MODEL NOT ADOPTING CLOUD
COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY (TRADITIONAL MODEL)..............................................95
APPENDIX 3.........................................................................................................................101
CLASSERA PLATFORM FEATURES...............................................................................101

Abstract:
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the integration of cloud computing holds significant
promise in revolutionizing educational practices and empowering students and educators with
innovative tools and resources. However, there is a lack of empirical research on the impact of
cloud computing on secondary education in Egypt. The aim of this study is to investigate the
impact of cloud computing platforms on the teaching and learning outcomes, and experiences of
secondary school students in Egypt.
The adopted research design is a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative
data collection and analysis. The quantitative data are collected through a survey for teachers and
students in a secondary school that uses cloud computing platforms and services and another
survey for students from other school with the traditional model. The qualitative data are collected
through interviews and focus group discussions with school directors.
The findings of this research contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the implementation
and impact of cloud computing platforms in the educational context, specifically in the secondary
education system in Egypt.
The results of the study show that cloud computing has a positive impact on the quality and
efficiency of education, as well as on the motivation and satisfaction of learners. which is mainly
reflected in eliminating students’ reliance on private tutoring. The study also identifies the
challenges and barriers that hinder the effective implementation and use of cloud computing, in
addition to providing recommendations for decision makers and educators, on how to overcome
these challenges and maximize the benefits of cloud computing in secondary education in Egypt.
Keywords: Cloud Computing technology, online educational platforms, secondary education.

Text in English, abstracts in English.