Key Aspects of an E-Learning System Hari Srinivas Aspect Issues Target Identification Who is the eventual end-user? What level does the end-user operate? What is the scope of activities of the end-user? What networks bring the end-users together? What local institutions/organizations work with the end-user? What do mandate and other guiding documents say of the end-user? Needs Assessment Besides the above points, What are the end-users' targets? What are the end-user's objectives and goals? What will be included in a needs-assessment questionnaire (keeping in mind that these assessment change depending on the end-users' targets, on the time scale, and scope/level of operation)? Packaging Information How can existing projects be 'redesigned' to generate info for e-learning products? How will the above needs assessment exercise help in identifying the format of the e-learning package? How can different information packages be developed from the same block of data/information of a project? How can the information format be matched with the differing needs of the end-user? How can the subsidiary of the information used in e-learning be maintained – delivering the right info at the right time to the right level and the right end-user? Marketing How can the info on e-learning products be delivered to the end-user? What events can be used to disseminate e-learning meta-info, both online and offline? How can effective networking serve the timely delivery of e-learning products? Delivery Modalities What appropriate information infrastructure needs to be developed for e-learning: online and offline? What components of the e-learning products need to be on-line and what components be offline (eletronic and hardcopy)? Depending on the target end-user, what will be the frequency, format and mode of delivery of the e-learning products? Support Systems Besides the main e-learning product, what kinds of support systems need to be put in place: ongoing – during the course of e-learning; and follow-up – as a continuous learning exercise? What kinds of value-added resources be delivered to the main e-learning product in order to make it more relevant to different end-users - 'individualized' or 'regionalized'? How will queries and comments/suggestions etc. from users be processed? How will it be used to enhance the quality of e-learning products/processes? Monitoring and Evaluation What will be the components of a M&E system? Monitoring the end-user's use of the e-learning product itself Monitoring the end-user's use of knowledge gained Assessment of the quality/quantity of information/knowledge provided in the e-learning package

Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org Return to Instructional Design