Historical, Social and Psychological Preconditions for the Development of E-learning in Yemen's Higher Education

Computers allow simulation and visualization at all levels and lifestyles – from microorganisms to
macrocosmic phenomena crucial to human development. Computer science involves various fields of
study. The present paper explores the historical, social and psychological factors that determine
educational policies in Yemen throughout its tumultuous history. The new ways of teaching and
learning is the emergence of e-learning, defined as a way of learning by using the communication
mechanisms of modern computer networks and multimedia, including voice, image, and graphics and
mechanisms to search electronic libraries, as well as web portals, whether in the context of distance
learning or in the classroom. The work examines the latest trends in e-learning and its application in
higher education in the Republic of Yemen. The article in brief presents the results of questionnaire
research for the student’s readiness for e-learning in Yemeni universities. The successful integration
of information technology in higher education will contribute to the solution of many problems facing
developing countries. The application of Information technology in higher education in Arab countries,
and especially in Yemen, should not be based on technical decision but on strategic planning as a
national choice to improve higher education so it can meet the economic and social development
needs.