The document provides a review of the Information Technology Authority (ITA) website in Oman. ITA works to transform Oman into a sustainable knowledge society by leveraging information and communication technologies. The review evaluates the website based on several rubrics related to writing process, web page creation skills, web page layout, accessibility, flexibility, interactivity, readability, speed, navigation, being up-to-date, language, FAQs, follow-up discussion, advertising, and compatibility. It provides recommendations to include FAQs and discussion forums to improve interaction and help users. Screenshots of the ITA website are also included.

1. Sultan Qaboos University
College Of Education
Instructional & Learning/Technologies Department
Critical review of:
Done by:
Muna Al-shuili (69072)
Introduction:

2. ITA works to transform the Sultanate of Oman into a sustainable Knowledge Society by
leveraging Information and Communication Technologies to enhance government services
enrich businesses and empower individuals. ITA enables public to reach the government
entities concerned at any time, and from anywhere without having to physically visit the
offices. The user-friendly site design can also be used comfortably by the visually
challenged.
ITA Mission
Information Technology Authority (ITA) is pioneering the implementation of E-Oman. E-
Oman comprises of a wide range of initiatives and services that are designed and created
to improve the efficiency of government services, enhance the activities of businesses and

3. empower individuals with skills and knowledge, to meet society’s needs and expectations
and to direct Oman towards becoming a sustainable Knowledge-based Economy.
Scoring Rubric
Standards
Level
Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
1
Writing Process
Easy to understand; perfect Same as level 3 Clear, concise, well-
spelling; no semantic but no errors written online content
problems
Web Page (HTML) Creation Skills

4. Text is Headings;Title;Tags such as, Same as level 3 Same as level 4 plus at
broken into preformatted text; plus images and least five lists, images as
paragraphs; styles;centering;horizontal hyperlinks to hyperlinks; color or
headings are lines.lists,etc. related material background image,
used; Frames, tables, or image
map
Web Page Layout
Text broken Headings label sections and Hierarchy Consistent format;
into create hierarchy; some closely follows extends the information
paragraphs consistency meaning; page-to-page; easy to
and sections headings and read; attention to
styles are different browsers and
consistent their quirks
within pages;
text, images,
and links flow
together
Navigation
 Home page with

5. other pages
branching off,
navigation path is
clear and logical; all
links work & clearly
labelled; sitemap &
search facility are
available. Also The
Users can easily
know where they
are and navigate
site without
guessing. Their
location in the site
appears at the top
of the site.
Marketing Your School

6. Shows e-services available, Creates a Level 4 plus makes one
calendar of events, etc. positive image feel like they would
of the portal; want to use portal
shows what is services; shows
happening; communication; with the
gives a sense of community; community
the total Omani partnerships
community
Another Scoring Rubric
Accessibility - To access services you should register to have an account.
- Web pages, web application, text, images, forms, etc are
accessible to all visitors.
- The website can be present in other language beside the

7. Arabic; the visitor can change the language to English.
- Every page has links back to the site's main pages.
- The Users can easily know where they are and navigate site
without guessing. Their location in the site appears at the top of
the site.
- Users who cannot use the mouse cannot navigate through e-
learning materials using the keyboard.
Flexibility This portal enables public to reach the services concerned at any
time, and from anywhere without having to physically visit the
offices.
- The content is dynamic (not stable), because it accepted for
changing, there are new topics have added between time to
another to rich the courses.
Interactivity 1- Employees-participants Interaction through:

8. - sending SMS.
- Emails
2- Provides an integrated connection among the various
Government electronic systems and services
Readability Visitors to this site can increase the font size for comfortable
reading by pressing Control and + key several times till they are
comfortable reading the text. They can also view the window in
full screen by pressing the F11 key.
Speed - Quickly to navigate from one page to another through the
portal
- Quick delivery services.
Home page Web pages are not in one screen so users should scroll up and
down to see everything.
Navigation - Most elements and contents of this portal have been grouped as
relevant in sections that can be accessed through clear
navigation paths. The user can locate e-services based on their
profile: Government, Business, Citizen, Resident or Visitor.
- Return to Home Page from any page: Constantly providing a

9. link back to the homepage is essential to ensuring users do not
get lost and feel more secure navigating the site
- Internal search engine: An internal search facility provides
users with a means of finding what they want on the website
quickly and efficiently
Up-To-Date - The content is dynamic (not stable), because it accepted for
changing, there are new topics have added between time to
another to rich the courses.
Language - The website can be present in other language beside the
Arabic; the visitor can change the language to English.
FAQ Frequently asked questions are not available in the portal
Follow up The website does not provide a means to engage in a discussion
discussion with the users.
Advertising On-line banner advertising is available
Compatibility The portal is compatible with different systems & browsers; it
has been tested for browsers namely, Internet Explorer, Apple
Safari and Firefox.

10. Help Icon Available in the wepsite.
Recommendations:
 FAQ: should be included in the website of ITA to let users know what the frequent
Asked questions commonly a list of questions and their answers. Also, help them to
identify & understand the website and its services and to facilitate to visitors to
navigate the website.

11.  Discussion forums: this will increase the interaction between the users & exchanging
the ideas & experiences to use services. Also, this helps to develop the website into
better.
Screenshots:

12. The website of ITA URL:
http://www.ita.gov.om/ITAPortal/ITA/default.aspx