A comparative study on the effectiveness of e-learning at a Malaysian university
Jowati binti Juhary
Akademi Tentera Malaysia Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Introduction
This proposal focuses on only e-learning in one developing country, Malaysia. For this study, e-learning is used at tertiary level. The overall purpose of the research is to investigate, analyse and discuss the effectiveness of technology in the education system - theoretically and pedagogically. Since there are not many empirical researches in developing countries about the effectiveness of using technology in the education system, perhaps this paper may be able to contribute some ideas and new insights into the field. Many assumptions have been made nation wide about the fact that technology helps in the process of teaching and learning. However, they are not proven and as such the need to have more independent study on the effectiveness of e-learning is high. Another research concludes that the performance of e-learning students is at least the same as face-to-face (FTF) learning students. This comes with the same consideration for pedagogical designs, delivery and also the right amount of sources. Thus, the governments and education stakeholders have to look again at the investments on e-learning; if e-learning gives the same results as FTF, then perhaps educators can just choose to explore new FTF strategies.
e-Learning: Concept and practice in Malaysia
To be more specific on the practice of e-learning, there is not yet a 100% e-learning. It is always a blended e-learning; a mixed mode e-learning whereby a combination of e-learning and FTF learning are used together. The e-learning concept allows for more working people to further their studies as distance and time are no longer the barriers to education. There are four objectives of this tertiary e-learning in Malaysia. The first is to introduce new concept of learning at a higher level of education. Secondly,