Abstract
Most governments across the world have temporarily shuttered education institutions to halt the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. The epidemic has caused countrywide lockdowns that might put technology to the test for finding solutions to distant learning. Saudi Arabia, as a country, has accomplished online and remote learning despite the persistent closure of schools. However, a few systems have been identified to help with distance learning. Many countries and schools had not prepared for such systems and had little equipment to facilitate distance learning. The access to technology by households varies as some middle-income nations have less access to cellphones and broadband internet. Therefore, the study aims to identify the extent to which institutions have incorporated IT technology in e-Learning systems. The study focuses on 250 students at Qassim University during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A link to an online questionnaire was sent to the students as they were asked to complete and mail the report. A chi-square test and standard deviation were used to test and analyze the results. The results showed the efficiency of using IT technology in achieving e-Learning systems. Therefore, the degree of readiness of institutions for the COVID-19 pandemic was low, and the study has shown a statistical significance of IT technology to be included in the e-Learning system to combat the effects of the pandemic.

Key words: COVID-19 epidemic; e-Learning; readiness; Saudi Arabia