GENERIC FRAMEWORK

BUSINESS DEFINITION:
E-learning can be viewed as an innovative approach for delivering a well designed, learner-centred, interactive, and facilitated learning environment to anyone, anywhere, anytime by utilising the attributes and resources of various digital technologies along with other forms of learning materials suited for an open, flexible, and distributed learning environment. E – Learning is defined as acquisition of knowledge and skill using electronic technologies such as computer and Internet-based courseware and local and wide area networks. Broad definition of the field of using technology to deliver learning and training programs. Typically used to describe media such as CD-ROM, Internet, Intranet, wireless and mobile learning. Some include Knowledge Management as a form of e-learning. The term was introduced in 1995 when it was all called "Internet based Training", then "Web-based Training" (to clarify that delivery could be on the Inter- or Intra-net), then "Online Learning" and finally e-learning, adopting the in vogue use of "e" during the dot com boom.

Types of e- learning There are fundamentally two types of e-learning: synchronous training and asynchronous training.
Synchronous, means "at the same time," involves interaction of participants with an instructor via the Web in real time.
Asynchronous, which means "not at the same time," allows the participant to complete the WBT at his own pace, without live interaction with the instructor.
A new form of learning known as blended learning is emerging. As the name suggests it is an amalgamation of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.
Asynchronous Methods
Embedded learning: Embedded learning is information that is accessible on a self-help basis, 24/7. It can be delivered to the place of work, or to mobile learners. Electronic performance support system (EPSS) is a type of embedded learning. The advantage is that embedded learning offers learners the information they need whenever they need it.
Courses: The clear advantage of a self-paced course is convenience. Participants can get the training they need at any time. This can include just-in-time training where a participant gets exactly the training he or she needs to perform a task.
Discussion groups: A discussion group is a gathering of conversations that occur over time. They are also called message boards, bulletin boards and discussion forums. Discussion groups can be used to support a group of participants taking the same class or can be used to support participants performing related tasks. A discussion group is a very competent way to supply expert answers to a large group people. A single answer to a common question can help many.

Synchronous Methods

Virtual classroom: Virtual classroom duplicates the features of a real classroom online. Participants interact with each other and instructors online, instant messaging, chat, audio and video conferencing etc.
Blended Method: Most companies prefer to use a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous e-learning methods according to their requirement.

FRAMEWORK CONSIDERATIONS

The UNESCO report [2003] suggests that the African education status requires innovative ways to support it in achieving the millennium goals. These innovative features can be achieved through the integration of technologies that can process information and transmit it for the purpose of learning and educational development [UNESCO, 2004]. Many African countries have lagged behind in the implementation of technologies for enhancement of services such as education. Many hindering factors such as access to funds, electricity and human capacity slow down the implementation of ICT within education.
It was estimated that the overall demand for higher education is expected to grow from 48 million enrolments in 1990 to 159 million in 2025. Therefore there is a need for other alternative educational methods that can be used for knowledge dissemination.
It is believed that with the introduction of e-learning, education will be delivered ubiquitously to whoever needs it cheaply and easily. Research has shown that whenever there is an abrupt increase in the demand for learning but without adequate resources, inefficiency and ineffective in service provision is the result.
World Bank [2000] also notes that there is lack of ICT research in Africa in the areas of effective educational uses and potential impacts on the quality of African education

A Generic E-learning Framework
A generic e-learning framework has been developed in relation to the institutional setting and existing ICT policy. This framework considers the environmental constituents as the main dynamic factors to the e-learning process. The learning environment can be influenced by several things that include available resources, infrastructure, services and literacy. Many frameworks adopted in developing countries ignore some important constituents hence affecting the entire e-learning process. The developed generic e-learning framework contains main constituents such as organizational policy, funding, stakeholders, services and infrastructure. When these constituents are interlinked together they are able to effectively deliver an effective e-learning process. The framework signified the importance of the existing environmental set up when adopting a new technology to enhance e-learning practices. Many times it is assumed that with technology everything is possible but it can be noted from the framework that other constituents such as stakeholders, services, policies and funding resources greatly impact on the e-learning process. A description of the different constituents and how it interlinks with others is made in the following sections.
1. Organizational Policies
This refers to a set of guidelines set up by the organization to guide in administering of the organization. These guidelines stipulate what should be done, how it can be done and the end result. The policies that affect e-learning implementation include course accreditation, teaching and ICT policies (for universities). When the faculty decides to offer an online course, the University has to agree on the accreditation of the course based on the existing policy for accreditation, the delivery methods, and appropriateness of the courseware and target group of learners. The University’s policy on teaching using ICT encourages the faculty in implementing e-learning.
Therefore these policies have a direct impact how e-learning is implemented within an organization. The policies also outline clearly how the monitoring and tracking of the e-learning implementation is carried out within the organization.

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2. Funding
This refers to both the money spent (expenses) on the implementation of e-learning and the one generated from the revenues (training fees, tuition, etc…). Money can be spent on several items such tutor recruitment, human capacity development, rent for e-learning platform, purchase of hardware and software. The funding directly and indirectly influences the type of e-learning that will be provided based on initial input (expenditure). The funding will determine what stakeholders to be recruited (staff) for teaching and content creation. It also influences the quality of infrastructure to be installed for delivering the e-learning process. Funding also determines the type and quality of services that can be offered. The fees paid by the students should be well articulated to indicate the reasons why they are paying a specific amount as compared to another. Full time students will end up paying more fees than part time students.
3. Stakeholders
These are people that participate in the e-learning process through different activities. The stakeholders include administrators, tutors and students.
• Administrators: these are people who carry out the administering of the entire e-learning process. Administering includes the support offered to manage the module/courses that are offered using this ICT. The administrators may include network administrators, mentors, departmental heads, e-learning managers, policy makers etc. These are key stakeholders in the planning and play a major role during the learning process implementation.
• Tutors: these are teachers who teach, design or provide learning content that is delivered electronically to the students. Tutors also streamline, monitor, engage and offer constructional feedback during the e-learning process. Without the tutors to develop the content, engage and monitor students’ effective e-learning can hardly occur. Therefore the tutors have to be well equipped with the pedagogical and instructional design principles/techniques.
• Students: these are the individuals who take a contract to learn using the electronic means. The students recruited to the e-learning process come from different backgrounds and have different motives for undertaking the learning. Knowing the common background and motives of the students enhances the content development process. Lifelong learners have different learning motives as compared to students learning in order to
Acquire employment. The students’ learning levels have to be determined too before they undertake the e-learning process.
4. Services
This is the assistance that is offered by the stakeholders using the available ICT to
Enhance the e-learning process. This assistance offered through ICT is in different
Ways as described below.
• Administration: this assistance refers to the support that is offered in the administration and management of ICT that is used in enhancing of the e-learning process. Adoption of ICT within administration can greatly improve on the managing of other services such as communication between students, staff members etc. Using ICT to administer the flow of learning resources within the e-learning environment is very vital for the effectiveness of the process. Having a timely flow of information between the stakeholders is very important for the e-learning process. For example administration can assist in managing timetable information, course announcements, and tutor information.
• Development: this assistance involves designing and implementing both infrastructure and learning content for the e-learning process. Design of the network that will facilitate the e-learning process is very vital. For example poor implementation may lead to an ineffective internet connection hence leading to poor e-learning process. The design of learning content that conforms to the pedagogy is very crucial in this service hence leading to the constructive content. Curriculum and staff development is another
Vital service that is very essential within the e-learning process. The staff members have to undergo training very often in order to constantly have updated skills on offering an effective e-learning process.
• Support: this assistance refers to any help that is offered to the stakeholders during the e-learning process. Support may be offered in different forms, to the students they may receive feedback for improving learning and the tutors may receive bonus funding to motivate them during content development. The tutors may receive other forms of support such as training that is essential for attaining the e-learning pedagogical skills.
There is also a need to sensitize all stakeholders about the e-learning environment before they can embark on using it. Students need to be sensitized on how to use the e-learning environment and its effectiveness to their learning process.
• Delivery: this assistance involves the dissemination of information and learning content to the stakeholders using ICT. The delivery methods may vary from one stakeholder to another. Tutors may pass on the necessary information to the students through emails and discussion boards. It is very vital to decide on the delivery method that will be implemented for the learning method you want to embark on (is it a blended, purely online or distance learning approach). Some tutors may prefer to deliver the content through the use of CDs or e-learning platform. Different delivery methods have merits and demerits depending on the circumstances in which it is being utilized for learning.
• Access: this assistance involves offering stakeholders the appropriate avenues through which they can interact with the information offered in the e-learning process. The access that is required by the tutors may be different from what is required by the students. Is e-learning offered at a 24 hour basis or the e-learning process occurs at only designated times of the day? Can students access the e-learning environment ubiquitously or restricted to the university circumference? Some tutors prefer to avail the online assessment at specific periods for the sake of monitoring.
• Instruction: this assistance involves selection and enforcing a particular instructional method for designing the e-learning content, delivery and communication of information. The instructional methods used in e-learning are quite many and determine how the e-learning process will occur. Instructional methods such as use of the higher educational learning object concept during content design, use of discussion boards for disseminating specific information amongst students (contribution is a must), and design of assessments (multiple choice, short answer questions, essay question) are very crucial. We should note that not all designed content is suitable for the e-learning process and may vary depending on the type of learners (life long, mature or others).
5. Infrastructure
These are the physical or no physical items that enable the e-learning process to occur. The infrastructure can be ICT related or not but should be able to support the e-learning project that the organization is embarking on. The infrastructure may contain the following:
• Hardware: these are the physical ICT components that are integrated together in order to offer an effective e-learning process. Some of the current hardware is designed specifically for multi-media processing which includes e-learning. E-learning that involves video conferencing may need specialized ICT as compared to a normal desktop computer. Therefore hardware has to critically be considered during the implementation of the e-learning process.
• Software: these are the types of software that can be selected for use in the e-learning process. There exists several e-learning environment software on market which offers different functionality. Some of the e-learning environment software is free to use and others are for rentable. Selection of e-learning environment software for use will depend on organizational policy and probably the funding available. Examples of the e-learning
Environment software include Blackboard, WebCT and Chisimba.
• Networks: this is the connection carried out on the different hardware so that they are linked to each other for the purpose of sharing information during the e-learning process. Different networks can be designed for the e-learning purpose (local or wide area network). The university can decide that the e-learning environment is only accessible within its premises (local network) or ubiquitously (wide area network). Such policies have to be debated before the initialization of the e-learning process.
• Maintenance or Help desk: this is the centre where stakeholders can seek advice related to e-learning process. This is very essential because of the limited direct contacts between the students and the tutors. If the students require anything related to their e-learning process, there is always someone to help. For example if the network is off, lost password, labs being occupied; stakeholders would need clarification from whoever is concerned. The help can undertake this task of linking the stakeholders with other administrative units. Business area Growth prospect E-learning permits the delivery of knowledge and information to learners at an accelerated pace, opening up new vistas of knowledge transfer. Early adopters are companies that have tried to supplement face-to-face meetings, demonstrations, training classes and lectures with this technology. ―The adoption of e-learning in all spheres—corporate, schools, universities, etc—is low at present. The Indian market is not substantial when compared to the international market. E-learning in India has been most successful in the corporate segment where it is seen as a means of achieving business goals and motivating employees. A lot of work has to be done to make e-learning successful for education, both formal and informal and to cultivate faith of people in online degrees in India apart from the ones given by renowned institutions like IITs
Even thought the Internet penetration is 4% in India, still the e-learning market size is $27 million or Rs 105 crore. It is projected to grow to $280 million or Rs 1,092 crore by 2012, according to an education sector report by the reputed brokerage firm CLSA Asia Pacific markets.
However, the Indian market, despite a 4% market penetration shows promise. The reason happens to be due to the size of the Indian population (100 crore)—the absolute Internet users are over 4 crore, which is bigger than the population of many developed countries.
The market size of competitive exams preparation in India is currently $1.6 billion (Rs 6,200 crore), according to industry experts.
With CAT projected to go online from next year, much of this would move to computer-based or e-learning, it is felt. Computer-based learning still has a market size of $150 million (Rs 590 crore), which is expected to grow to $750 million (Rs 2,900 crore) by 2012, according to the CLSA Asia Pacific market report.
Meanwhile, the current e-learning global market size is over $20 billion (Rs 78,000 crore)—grown ten-fold since 2000). E-learning market is expected to surpass $52.6 billion (Rs 2, 05,000 crore) by 2010. Online tutoring is a $4 billion (Rs 15,600 crore) industry and is growing at a rate of 10%-15% per annum.
Worldwide market for online tutoring is estimated to be in the region of $12 billion (Rs 46,800 crore). India now earns around $15 million (Rs 60 crore) per year from online tutoring—10% of the total market share
For e-learning, education is the single largest growth sector in India, owing to our large population and the potential for the use of technology in education and training. Technology penetration in education is less than 10% currently, which is very low compared to a place like Korea where it is 90%.” According to him, a 100% e-learning model would not work for India. “India’s Internet penetration levels are very low and computers are very expensive here. A hybrid model, and not a 100% e-learning model, would work better here.
E-learning, perhaps is the way ahead for a country that lacks basic infrastructure—where schools and colleges are concerned.
Beneficiary Market Segments
According the research report from Value Notes on e-learning service providers in India, 91% of the service providers focus on the corporate market, 76% of them focus on the education sector and 44% focus on the government segments. This includes the domestic and international markets.
Corporate sector: This is the highly targeted segment by the e-learning service providers and around 91% of the companies find this as the easiest segment to target. Companies today cannot ignore training and they believe training as the important tool to up skill their employees and sustain their workforce. In the past, the major focus of Indian e-learning firms remained on developing IT learning solutions. Now, they have realized the potential in other verticals and diversified in developing technical and soft skill e-learning solutions for almost all verticals, including banking, financing, insurance, automobiles, and so on.
Education sector: This is a vast sector and includes K-12 through higher education academic programs, career guidance programs for individuals, certification courses, and professional development courses. In India, there are only a few online universities and online degree courses that have gained popularity. This is because people still consider regular classroom structure with direct tutor interaction, as the effective mode. However, e-learning courses on career development and IT certification (MSCE, MCSD, Cisco, Microsoft and so on) developed for individuals are a big hit.
Online Tutoring is a yet another booming industry in the online education sector. The tutoring companies offer online tuition services that include voice-based tutoring for all academic subjects, homework assistance, and assignment help for K-12 students across the globe. Though this trend is yet to catch momentum in the domestic market, it seems to have a flourishing market in the US and the UK, because of the reduced cost of labor for tutoring and good quality of tutoring from Indian teachers.
Government sector: E-learning Service providers focus comparatively less on this segment, since this requires companies to go through lot of procedures and paper-work and it also differs from country to country. Companies also feel the wait time seems longer before getting approval on the projects. Indian government sectors are quite slow in adapting e-learning and the potential of this digital learning technology is yet to gain popularity.
Types of Business models:

Model 1: Training Department, Qualification Centre

• Target Group: all employees, internal focused • Strategic goal: reinforce and perpetuate(evolution) • Business logic: incentives for professional education, certificates for employees • Curriculum focus: technology development, service development • Knowledge aspect: general, fundamental knowledge and enterprise specific knowledge • E- learning aspect: learning anytime and anywhere, just in time,inno vative learning methods

Model 2: Profit Centre, Education vendor

Target Group: all employees, customers, suppliers, other companies, consumers
Strategic goal: reinforce and perpetuate (evolution)
Business logic: profit, revenues (e.g. corporate fees, fees for online courses etc.)
Curriculum focus: technology development, service development, enterprise specific knowledge
Knowledge aspect: Transfer of knowledge, content delivery
E- Learning aspect: killer application on the internet, mix of educational products, interactive and innovative learning forms, learning anytime and anywhere, just in time, marketing of E-Learning products.
Benefits of Business Application Area:

Flexibility, Accessibility, Convenience
Learners can proceed through a training program "at their own pace and at their own place." They can also access the e-Learning course at any time, and only as much as they need. This is also known as "Just in time and just enough."
Cross-platform Support
E-Learning courses are accessible by Web browsers on any platform: Windows, Mac, UNIX, OS/2, Amiga, etc. You can deliver your training program to any machine over the Internet or intranet without having to author a program specifically for each platform.
Browsers and Internet Connections are widely Available
Most computer users have access to a browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, and are connected to a company's intranet and/or have access to the Internet.
Inexpensive Worldwide Distribution
No separate distribution mechanism is needed. E-Learning courses are accessible from any computer anywhere in the world, which keeps delivery costs low.
Ease of Updates
After the e-Learning course is released, any changes can be made on the server hosting the program and everyone worldwide can instantly access the update. Courses can be designed to access designated current information, such as the latest new product specifications, from any other server worldwide for an on-the-fly update whenever the e-Learning course is run.
Savings in Travel Cost and Time
There are no travel costs for bringing remote employees to a centralized workshop because the Web is available from all desktops. According to some analysts, the actual time required for training by computer averages about 50% to that of instructor-led training, further saving money.

Technological Challenges:

Significant technology challenges for students base: All respondents(N=260)

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Significant technology challenges for Instructors base: Total respondents(N=260)
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Social Challenges
If e-learning reaches the remote and rural parts of India, it would be much faster to educate people. One major problem faced by India is that almost all highly skilled professionals are based in bigger cities that deprive the rural population from getting educated through them. E-learning simplifies this process by taking the knowledge to masses provided that there‘s internet connectivity available at some nearby area. Even in the area of higher education, the supply and demand are not balanced. Looking at the population, the available universities are not enough to accommodate all the people seeking education. At this point distance education comes in and has already been quite popular. E-learning can play a major role even here.
Some participants may be technologically challenged and are hesitant to participate in full. Online discussions may inhibit class members, or they may encourage banter. One of the common disadvantages to e-learning is that some students, especially those for whom English is not their native language, have difficulty communicating and being understood. Another group of students may experience computer or technology anxiety, which may in turn impact their learning and their final grades.

Bandwidth limitations
Limited bandwidth means slower performance for sound, video, and intensive graphics, causing long waits for download that can affect the ease of the learning process. The problem is greater over the public Internet, where more traffic jams occur, and less on a company's intranet which usually has greater bandwidth. Future technologies will no doubt help to solve this problem.
There's a general concern that as we move towards more computer usage, a glowing terminal replaces a friendly face. Decreasing instructor-led training makes some trainees uneasy. If this is a concern, consider a gradual introduction of the technology.
Today's e-Learning programs are too static
As with any emerging technology, the level of interactivity in e-Learning is too-often limited. This is gradually improving, and as it does the impact of the training on performance improves also.
Takes more time and more money to develop than expected
Like any first-time challenge, learning about and implementing new technology takes more resources (and more aspirin) than expected. You can make it easier by starting with a simple program and building on success. Also remember that the greater portion of costs associated with e-Learning are start up costs. Programs can be delivered and reused with fewer costs than with traditional methods.

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