Developing a Theoretical Framework for understanding eLearning Systems

Abstract

Effective implementation, management, and success of e-Learning systems have drawn the attention of many researchers. However, e-Learning systems success research lacks models and frameworks addressing organisational dimensions along with lecturer and learner dimensions. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore the dimensions of e-Learning systems success to develop a broad framework to understand the e-Learning systems success dimensions. The overall success of an e-Learning system comprises a number of dimensions, all reflecting different aspects of e-Learning systems success. Based on a comprehensive review of literature, a three tier multidimensional framework of e-Learning systems success was derived. The dimensions are categorised as organisational dimensions, lecturer dimensions, and learner dimensions. The framework constitutes a source of ideas for e-Learning systems success dimensions appropriate for particular contexts. To develop a specific model, the relevant dimensions are to be adopted from the framework. The framework could be validated by formulating e-Learning systems success models that could be validated against survey data.