e-learning readiness - Asia Pacific Region - Open University Malaysia

the existence of the digital divide among Malaysians. In order toaddress these issues, the following recommendations are forwarded:(a) Ensure equity in accessibility for everyone in rural and urbanareas by providing broadband facilities for all communities.Thus, the goal should be to provide adequate infrastructure for allcommunities, irrespective of where these communities are located.(b) Invigorate an ‘Internet in every home’ campaign (IIEH) so that allresponsible authorities may work toward a common goal. Underproper management, the ‘A computer in every home’ (ACIEH)campaign should also be revitalized.(c) Subsidise broadband Internet access to all schools and extendexisting computing facilities in IPTAs to the public.(d) Reduce Internet and broadband costs so that more individualscan afford to take advantage of the facility in order to run E-learning applications.(e) Ensure that providers are able to cater to large volumes ofinternet and broadband traffic by providing adequate bandwidthand with the use of appropriate technology.(f) Provide a national cost-free or subsidised Learning ManagementSystem (LMS) for all E-learning institutions, which may then beadapted and adopted.6.2.4 InfostructureThe main concerns with regards to infostructure are the development ofcontent, software, applications and authoring tools that are of high qualitydetermine the success of E-learning. Further, the presence of technicalstandards and criteria will facilitate informed decision-making in E-learning. For these reasons, the following recommendations areforwarded.(a) Select and adopt an appropriate LMS to cater to the needs ofusers in every organisation.(b) Integrate E-learning with tertiary, secondary and primaryeducation.(c) Train learners to use E-learning facilities in an ongoing manner.(d) Use a combination of print and online materials to ensure thatstudents who are yet to master the technical aspects ofdownloading and accessing materials are not left out.(e) Establish specific standards for Quality assurance and qualitycontrol so that content is appropriate and meets learner needs.Joint Study by MEWC and OUM 105