Abstract
Academic institutes around the world have adopted the electronic learning (e-learning) model to serve the students' community, particularly those in a rural area or could not be admitted to local universities for different reasons. This study is an attempt to investigate the nature of barriers and challenges encountered in promoting e-learning pedagogies at Saudi universities. In this respect, King Saud University has been selected as a case study. A literature review of e-learning rationale, frameworks, designs and the current status of education reform in Saudi higher education are demonstrated. Findings have been discussed with pedagogues and recommendations that would enable the transition to an e-learning university environment are presented.