Critical success factors in online education

TLDR

The Internet is transforming society and universities, prompting institutions to adopt online delivery methods for teaching. The study surveyed students enrolled in an online management course at an Australian university to identify factors influencing online education success. The survey identified technology, instructor, and prior student experience with technology as critical success factors, and emphasized that lecturers will remain central as learning catalysts and knowledge navigators.

Abstract

The Internet is a major technological advancement reshaping not only our society but also that of universities worldwide. In light of this, universities have to capitalise on the Internet for teaching, and one progressive development of this is the use of online delivery methods. This paper draws upon the results of a survey conducted amongst students enrolled in one online management course at an Australian university. Three critical success factors in online delivery are identified: technology, the instructor and the previous use of the technology from a student’s perspective. We also argue that the lecturer will continue to play a central role in online education, albeit his or her role will become one of a learning catalyst and knowledge navigator.