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

application of ICT to pave the way for the country to move into the digitalage. The MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) launched in 1996 is testimonyto the government’s national ICT agenda. Thus, this study on ELR isimportant as it will help formulate new policies or develop initiatives toelevate the nation’s readiness for E-learning.The integration of ICT in educational institutions has also encouraged theuse of ICT to respond to individuals’ learning and training needs. In thecase of distance education or open and distance learning institutions, ICThas been used to deliver either parts of the curriculum or the totalcurriculum. In addition, ICT plays an important role in informal learningand provides a channel for harnessing the usefulness of informal contentknowledge. The use of ICT in this manner has generally been referred toas e-Learning.E-learning has been defined in many ways, but it generally refers tolearning that depends on or is enhanced by electronic or onlinecommunication using the latest information and communicationtechnologies (Nagy, 2004). As defined by the Development Gateway, E-learning is “the application of information and communicationtechnologies (ICT) in support of distance learning, self-guided learning,and the traditional classroom” (Development Gateway, 2003).For this study, the proposed working definition for E-learning by the E-learning Readiness Working Group is the use of network and multimediatechnologies to improve the quality of learning by enabling access toknowledge and remote resources for the development of a K-society.Across the globe, E-learning is growing at a phenomenal rate. It has had atremendous impact on education at all levels of society and is a significantfeature in knowledge-based economies. The use of ICT is increasinglybeing recognized as a building block of development in the knowledgeeconomy. In many ways, expansion in E-learning is precipitated bysound ICT policy and programming. In the Malaysian scenario, E-learning is not only a growing industry but is, potentially, an importantvehicle for the provision of education, knowledge and information to thepublic. Further, E-learning has been used to support formal learning,non-formal learning and informal learning. It has been noted that E-learning has succeeded when it is well-planned and implemented.Two of the country’s universities, Unitar (http://www.unitar.edu.my/)and Open University Malaysia (OUM) (http://www.oum.edu.my/) arecurrently offering their academic programmes via the hybrid and blendedlearning modes, respectively. Each incorporates the use of E-learning forteaching and learning. Combined, these two universities currently servealmost 33,000 students, 75 percent of whom are registered at OUM. Inaddition, a growing number of public and private universities throughoutthe nation are employing E-learning methodologies either to offeracademic programmes via distance learning, or to support their full-timeon-campus learners.Joint Study by MEWC and OUM 2