Introduction
Trends of online or electronic learning are at rise all over the world, and this growing influence has made it the center of attention for scholars, thinkers, and researchers. Experts’ input involves appreciation and justification as well as criticism for this mode of learning. It is in response to this rising influence that a renowned speaker and educator, Dr. Badrul Khan came up with his e-learning framework with an intention to providing a comprehensive scale to evaluate any category of e-learning program or course. The model outlines eight dimensions wherein each aims to measure the effectiveness and performance of any particular online program in some specific area. Given below is the graphical presentation of this program:
(Khan, 2016)
Selected E-Learning Program
This paper sets out to check an online program offered by Stanford High School namely “Human Nature and Society”. This is a year-long program aiming to develop an understanding and insight into the complex patterns of human nature and its role in society (Stanford High School, 2017).
Applying Web-Based Framework to “Human Nature and Society”
Eight dimensions of Badrul Khan’s framework are applied to the selected online course as follows:
Institutional
The purpose of institutional dimension is to assess an online program based on administrative, academic, and student serviced related affairs (Yildiz & Keengwe, 2016; Khan & Ally, 2015). As for administrative affairs, the program is integrated with a proper schedule. There is clearly defined fee structure, and it is also declared that each late submission will be subject to a surcharge. However, there is no financial aid i.e. scholarship or any other consideration like that offered. Then, it is clearly mentioned that the school is accredited by renowned universities including High School Summer College, Summer College University, and University-Level Online. As for student services, the institution shows an intention to providing personal and emotional assistance in all matters. It aims to tailor its student service program to the needs of each student at a subjective level to create a sense of connectedness (Stanford High School, 2017).
Management
International collaboration and vast financial capacity of the school allows it to employ a sharp approach to technology adoption. It ensures the successful continuation of the smooth management of promised services. Furthermore, it is also evident from the institution’s portfolio that instructions are meeting the intent. However, the management has not clearly declared as to what methods and strategies are utilized for quality control and budgeting to serve as a justification of the long term continuity of its managerial considerations (Stanford High School, 2017).
Technological
This dimension relates to the considerations relating to the technology utilized to deliver the services agreed upon (Khan, 2016). An investigation into the organization shows that it adopts state of the art approach to technology and the maintenance of its technological infrastructure. Learning management system and communication tools are selected appropriately to the requirement of any particular stage of the underlying e-learning programs. There is video conferencing, individual video calling, and other options of multimedia that vary from session to session according to the specific requirement of each session.
Pedagogical
Pedagogical dimension involves assessing the issues in the areas of design, goal analysis, methodology, audience analysis, and content analysis (Khan, 2016). As for the course in hand, there are clearly defined goals, which are focused on building an understanding to human nature to bring harmony among individuals at the social level. Since it is a middle school course, the audience falls in the age category ranging between 12 years and 15 years. Psychologically, these are the individuals with a keen interest towards learning about their surroundings to develop a proper response to each situation faced in social settings (Stanford High School, 2017). Nonetheless, there are no proper methods defined for content analysis, which the school should be an essential part of the information about the course on the official website.
Interface Design
It refers to learning atmosphere and its contribution to student’s overall learning experience (Khan, 2016). The institution has taken pains in developing and designing its electronic platform in a way that ensures its compliance with the temperamental needs of its target audience. To say differently, all dimensions of SERVQA are taken into account while preparing the online learning platform for the selected course. It is a fully functional website enriched with value-added features. Students face no difficulty in navigating among different pages. Furthermore, students can easily access to any part of information easily, as the database is sorted in an easy-to-understand manner. All this coupled with the charming look is indicative of pleasant learning experience, which also maximizes the chances of achieving the learning outcomes (Stanford High School, 2017).
Resource Support
Resource support refers to human and technology-based resources aiming to address the needs of technical assistance (Khan, 2016). Stanford ensures smooth provision of its student services without letting any inconvenience cause to detriment their learning experience. To achieve this purpose in the most appropriate ways, there are people in its staff whom the students can contact while faced with any issue at any time. The contact numbers of technical support staff members are provided on the website. Then, there is FAQ section providing predetermined response to some commonly asked questions. Learners are also allowed to drop their queries and questions via email, which are to be responded shortly by the concerned members of technical staff. To make the very long story short, the organization has a proper mechanism for technical support based on human and technological resources (Stanford High School, 2017).
Evaluation
Evaluation in the Khan’s framework extends to two further dimensions including the assessment of learners’ abilities and capabilities and evaluation of learning environment and instructions (Khan, 2016). There is no properly defined appraisal system to evaluate the gaps between predetermined actual level of success in terms of goals relating to learning environment and instructions. However, students have to pass through different tests and interviews to show that they satisfy the criteria of eligibility. Selection of students is based on their score in preliminary tests followed by proper tests and interviews (Stanford High School, 2017).
Ethical Considerations
The title of the course i.e. Human Nature and Society itself serves as the evidence of the organization’s compliance with ethical standards with regard to e-learning. It needs understanding to human nature to ensure unity among the members forming a society. Furthermore, the organization adopts “equal opportunity for all” approach towards selection and service criteria. There are no privileges or disadvantages for students or staff based on differences in terms of caste, color, religion, or any other dimension of ethnicity. There is a clearly defined ‘Anti-Discrimination Statement” to make sure that Stanford endeavors to promote equity at all levels of the organization (Stanford High School, 2017).
References
Khan, B. H. (2016). Revolutionizing modern education through meaningful e-learning implementation.
Khan, B. H., & Ally, M. (2015). International Handbook of E-learning: Volume 1.
Stanford High School. (2017). Human Nature and Society. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from https://ohs.stanford.edu/academics/courses/human-nature-and-society
Yildiz, M. N., & Keengwe, J. (2016). Handbook of research on media literacy in the digital age.
