Modelling and Implementation of Proactive Risk Management in e-Learning Projects: A Step Towards Enhancing Quality of e-Learning

Abstract

The introduction of e-Learning to higher education institutions has been evolving drastically. However, the quality of e-Learning becomes a central issue in order to provide all stakeholders with the necessary confidence to compete with traditional learning methods. Risk management plays a vital role in the successful implementation of e-Learning projects and in attaining high-quality e-Learning courses. Little research has been conducted about implementing risk management in e-Learning projects. This work proposes a quality assurance framework for e-Learning projects. This framework comprises a proactive risk management model that integrates risk management into the e-Learning process. This integration helps in obtaining high-quality e-Learning courses by preventing negative e-Learning risks from being materialized. The model is verified to evaluate its effectiveness through a Renewable Energy Course that was converted from a traditional face-to-face into e-Learning course. Quantitative and qualitative measures are performed to analyze the data collected through the implementation of the project. The results show that the proposed model is managed to mitigate the majority of probable risk factors leading to high-quality e-Courses development and delivery.236 | P a g e www.ijacsa.thesai.org Both success factors and possible failures together should be taken into account to increase the probability of project success. These possible failures are called risks. An e-Learning project inherits all types of risk factors encountered in Information System projects beside many other risks that are specific to e-Learning [11]. These factors might negatively affect the quality of the e-Learning course being developed and/or the learning outcomes, project schedule and/or resources. Many risk factors are associated with e-Learning projects [12]. These factors can be personal or dispositional, learning style, instructional, situational, organizational, content suitability, and technological [13]. In order to minimize their negative impact, these factors must be managed carefully [14]. Successful management of e-Learning risk factors would improve the quality of the e-Learning process and, consequently, the competitive advantage of the institution. Hence, Risk management should be the core competence in e-Learning projects.