Title: Challenges in employing complex e-learning strategies in campus-based universities

Authors: Carmel McNaught, Paul Lam, Kin-Fai Cheng, David M. Kennedy, Joseph Bernard Mohan

Addresses: Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Rm 302, Academic Building No. 1, Shatin, Hong Kong. ' Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Rm 302, Academic Building No. 1, Shatin, Hong Kong. ' Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Rm 302, Academic Building No. 1, Shatin, Hong Kong. ' Teaching and Learning Centre, Lingnan University, Room GE 201/1, B.Y. Lam Building, 8 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. ' Division of Commerce, Community College, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: Despite the existence of a significant number of established interactive e-learning tools and strategies, the overall adoption of e-learning is not high in many universities. It is thus important for us to identify and understand the challenges that face more complex e-learning projects. Using a qualitative method that gathered together the reflections of experienced practitioners in the field, this paper outlines many types of challenges that arise in the planning and development, implementation and evaluation stages of e-learning projects. Some of these challenges are related to human factors and some are associated with external factors such as technological infrastructure, university policy and support and the teaching and learning culture as a whole. A number of models are presented to assist our understanding of this situation – one on understanding the nature of innovation, a grounded model of the challenge factors we have encountered in our own experience and one to show possible future directions.

Keywords: e-learning challenges; complexity; campus-based universities; culture; e-learning development; e-learning evaluation; e-learning implementation; e-learning infrastructure; innovation; multiple models; planning; electronic learning; online learning; university policy; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2009.030778

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.266 - 285

Published online: 05 Jan 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article