Evaluation Of An Online Course Based On Badrul Khan's Framework

Use and apply Badrul Khan’s Web-based Framework to evaluate an online course offered by a corporate organization for training purposes, academic course, or a virtual high school course.

While you are navigating the course of your choice, answer the questions outlined in the “ Matrix for Evaluation of E-Learning Courses ” provided here. After answering and commenting on each question in the matrix, write a four to six page paper in which you address this question thoroughly: To what extent does the course meet the nine dimensions of Khan’s Web-based Framework? Preparation. Review Badrul Khan’s Web-based Framework.

Answer the questions in the matrix about the selected course.

Describe and evaluate the selected online course offered by a corporate organization for training purposes, academic institution, or a virtual high school, including:

(a) type of course,
(b) length,
(c) target learners, and
(d) delivery method(s) (text, audio, video lecture, etc.).

Describe and evaluate the selected online course offered by a corporate organization for training purposes, academic institution, or a virtual high school, including:

(a) interactivity,
(b) types of communication between instructor and students,
(c) collaboration opportunities, and
(d) two other key features. Evaluate the selected online course using nine dimensions of Khan’s Web-based Framework.

Badrul Khan's Web-based Framework

Rapid growth in information technology and innovations has led to worldwide usage of internet. Currently most countries allow their citizens to access and use internet, as such, web has become a powerful global platform that aids in dynamic, interactive, economic and democratic medium in learning and teaching at a distance. E-learning is one of the online learning method where learners and teachers can choose time and place to independently learn and teach. E-learning should be open, flexible and well distributed for the students worldwide. Imagine sitting at home watching your children play while doing homework? Attending business trips and meetings and later sit in hotel room to view your teacher’s demonstrations in video clips, chat with your classmates, do your assignment and submit it via email?

According to Ellington, (2010), open and flexible learning is where students have a say on how, when and where learning should take place. Distributed learning therefore, allows instructors, students and learning materials to be at different locations so that teaching and learning occur independent of place and time. This is opposed to traditional learning where instructors, students and learning materials must be confined in a classroom. Online learning tends to give freedom for the both teachers and learners. Therefore, a lot of questions and concerns have emerged concerning how e-learning as one of online learning should be structured and evaluated to ensure quality and objectiveness.

Recently researchers have tried to come with different models. For example, Badrul Khan came up with several dimensions of e-learning framework purposely to help students, teachers and stakeholders to think through every aspect of what they are doing while undergoing e-learning design process Khan, B. H., (2010). He came up with the following nine dimensions:  ethical, institutional, management, geographical, evaluation, technological, resource support, interface design and pedagogical. Various issues highlighted in the dimensions proved to be very useful in the studies of courses being offered by organizations in the world. This paper is going to address questions concerning e-learning study of business administration course at Atlantic International University (AIU) in the United States of America and to what extent does the course meet the nine dimensions of Khan’s web-based framework.

Pertaining to geographical diversity and ethical dimension, e-learning program designer may ask himself if business administrative course being offered at Atlantic International University is sensitive to students from different time zones. Online discussions among students undertaking business administration course are scheduled in manner that students coming from the same time zone are grouped together Banathy B. H., (2011). This is purposely to ensure students do not miss their discussions due to time difference. Privacy of each and every student is protected during discussions. Every student’s opinion is respected and considered valuable to the discussion and incase a student tries to disrespect a fellow severe action is taken.

Evaluating an Online Course

Students are supposed to be at the center of learning process, they should decide on the time and place to independently study. Question surrounding the role of instructor and availability of learning materials should be well defined.  Learning materials such as journals, technical support, online tutorials, digital libraries and career counselling services as described in resource support dimension are supposed to be at students’ disposal. Materials should be easily accessible, well written in simple language and clearly organized. Instructors should be available to tackle students’ questions online and attend to their issues. These ensure students get meaningful and successful online learning environment. Students should occasionally have time to interact with their teachers in process of handling tasks. They are supposed to be given opportunity to air their concerns and the institution should respond fast and convincingly.

E-learning should not only be useful to learners but also to instructors, staff and institution as a whole. When students show high levels of participations in their learning sessions, achieve course objectives and goals successfully, teachers and institution take the credit. Institution also feel satisfied when students are able to access support services and quality instructions for their respective courses. E-learning is also meaningful to institution when they are able to achieve reasonable return on their investment Banathy B. H., (2011). Resources are needed to run daily operations of the institution, therefore, institution is supposed to make adequate money to achieve this. Students on the other are supposed to get the value for their money by achieving their goals.

Management aspect of the e-learning should also be put into consideration. Questions such as: does the course provide a sense of continuity for the learners? Is there proper communication channel between students and the management of institution? These questions need to be addressed for smooth running of the institution. Students and other stakeholders need to be in continuous communication, as such, updates on progress and events like exam taking times should be communicated to various groups adequately to avoid late submissions, poor performance and even course drop outs. Institution should be able to offer career guide and counselling services to potentials students.

Every course should be evaluated to ascertain its viability. Business administration course at Atlantic International University for example, has undergone through scrutiny and proven to meet all international standards Khan, B. H., (2010). Process of exam taking and assessment is well defined. Exam time table is prepared and availed through student portal one month before exam taking periods. This enables students to prepare adequately for the exams. Instructions given by the instructors are also evaluated and reviewed by the management. It ensures students access the right materials and receive the right instructions.

Geographical and Ethical Dimension

Technological aspect in Khan’s e-learning framework should be taken into consideration in designing an e-learning course. Questions such as:  Is the cost of acquiring hardware, software, and Internet services a deterrent to taking this course?  Should be addressed. There should be available internet that instructors and students can use to communicate. Website should be secure to enable proper communications, to back up all the software materials being exchanged and should offer good service capacity. Suitable learning channels system and communications tools should be accessible to students. During group discussions students are supposed to access strong network to aid in proper communication. Audio and video tutorials and conferences should be easily accessed in achieving learning goals (Huerta, E., Ryan, T., & Igbaria., 2011).

Corporate organizations have benefited immensely in e-learning program too, for example American Airline company has been able to offer certificate in aeronautical engineering to its employees. The course enables students to expand their knowledge and skills in aircraft maintenance. Some of American Airline employees such as pilots all over the world are able to learn online from home and work stations. While learning, students are able to interact with their fellow through live chats, online discussions and download learning materials from the company portal. Instructors on the other hand, prepare audios and videos demonstrating how parts of the aircraft can be handled and repaired in case of breakage (Ettinger & Holton, 2015).  

Concept of e-learning is growing rapidly among organizations. Corporate organizations mainly embrace it since helps their employees improve on job performance at work stations. Their understanding of the job is increasingly becoming batter hence a competitive workforce for the company. Certificate in aeronautical engineering is offered in cost effective and efficient manner. Company is able to get return-on-investment, improve on their employees’ skills and performance. Students on the other, are able to achieve their goals by undertaking various courses while working.  

Finally, pedagogical aspect of e-learning course should be ascertained. Issues like; what is the role of the instructor? is there clear direction on what students should do in every stage of the course? What are the objectives and goals of the course? what is the channel of communication between students and instructor? For Business administration course and certificate in aeronautical engineering, instructor main role is to prepare and send various learning materials to the students. This can be done via emails, online discussions, audio and video conference. Objectives and goals must be achieved. Interface design should be of a good quality that gives the feel and overall out-look of the course. In conclusion, an online course should be able to meet all international standards. It should be accessible, viable and with defined goals and objective just like traditional learning course where students and teachers are confined in a classroom.

References

Banathy, B. H. (2011). )Evaluating Educational Programs and Productsedited by Gary D. Borich. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Educational Technology Publications, 1974. 491 pp. $12.95. The Educational Forum, 40(3), 371-372. doi:10.1080/00131727609336470

Ettinger, A. R., Holton, V., & Blass, E. (2015). E?learner experiences: what is the future for e?learning? Industrial and Commercial Training, 38(4), 208-212. doi:10.1108/00197850610671991

Ellington, H. (2010). Flexible learning, your flexible friend. In C. Bell, M. Bowden & A. Trott (Eds.), Implementing flexible learning (pp. 3-13).

Khan, B. (2010). Management Issues. Managing E-Learning Strategies. doi:10.4018/9781591406341.ch003

Negash, S., Ryan, T., & Igbaria, M. (2011). Quality and effectiveness in Web-based customer support systems. Information & Management, 40(8), 757-768. doi:10.1016/s0378-7206(02)00101-5