Conceptualising Quality E-Learning in Higher Education

Abstract

Both academic and non-academic institutions, such as businesses, have increasingly been interested in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) to support learning, otherwise termed e-learning. This interest has been fuelled by the new developments in ICT, such as multimedia and the Internet with its World Wide Web. Other incentives have been the associated (expected) reduction of the cost of education and the easier expansion of education to the increasing market that cannot be reached by traditional delivery. Especially with higher education, the issue of quality is raised, leading to both anecdotal and empirical evidence of ways to maintain quality while deriving the benefits of e-learning. This article discusses the issue of quality in higher education and examines how it can be maintained in online learning. Key current research is used to develop a conceptual framework of nine factors, which include content, delivery, technical provision (referred to as tangibles) and globalisation. Areas for further studies (including primary study to validate the framework) are highlighted.

Distance Learning Students’ Evaluation of E-Learning System in University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

“…After careful consideration of the introduction of technology in education, it is believed to become one of the largest contributing sector in the world economy. E-learning improves the performance, knowledge, and skills of young learners (Usoro & Abid, 2008). E-learning is also seen to reduce the cost of education and improve access to quality education (Laurillard, 2007).…”

Improving the quality of e‐learning: lessons from the eMM

“…Laurillard (2002) recommends the establishment of a forum for teachers to 'discuss their experience of learning technologies, and the academic issues surrounding the balance of learning methods' (p. 227). Usoro and Abid (2008) emphasize the importance of including academics and stakeholders views to 'achieve a comprehensive measure of quality ' (p. 77-78).…”

“…One of the incentives fuelling interest in e-learning is the (perhaps unrealizable) expectation of reduction in the cost of education (Usoro & Abid 2008). It has been argued that a major economic and efficiency advantage of e-learning is its potential for sharing and reusing learning materials (Wiley 2000;Jochems et al 2004;Weller 2004).…”

Untitled

“…This is a hot research area as the proliferation of e-learning initiatives has far outstripped research on quality assessment and research is afoot to arrest this situation (cf Usoro & Abid, 2008;Usoro & Abiagam, 2009). E-learning is the concern of not only educational institutions but also business organisations who have come to realise that it is perhaps the fastest and most flexible approach to equipping their staff with the necessary knowledge to face the current competitive atmosphere.…”