An evaluation of the ELNP e-learning quality assurance program: Perspectives of gap analysis and innovation diffusion

The purpose of this study was to examine the appropriateness of a nationwide quality assurance framework for e-learning from participants' perspectives. Two types of quality evaluation programs were examined in this study, including the e-Learning Service Certification program (eLSC) and the e-Learning Courseware Certification program (eLCC). Gap analysis and the innovation attributes were employed to examine participants' perception gaps and attitudes toward the quality framework. The analysis showed that the quality framework obtained adequate validity and reliability. Gap analysis revealed that both the eLSC and eLCC participants perceived the quality of their e-learning overly. The attitude analysis revealed that a) for eLSC, the positive and increased observability was inferred to enhance participants' adoption of eLSC, b) for eLCC, the positive attributes of observability, relative advantage and compatibility were inferred to facilitate and sustain the adoption of eLCC, c) the decreased attributes of trialability/complexity and relative advantage of eLCC indicated the necessity for further improvement. Crystal-clear descriptions and examples of quality criteria are suggested to make the quality assurance framework more amiable and easy of access to e-learning developers and organizations.