The importance of e-pedagogy for a successful e-learning implementation

Abstract

One of the Critical Agenda Projects (CAPs) under the National higher education strategic planning in Malaysia is e-learning. What this suggests is the direct emphasis on all higher learning institutions in Malaysia to transform the process of teaching and learning from a traditional mode to a more digital-based mode. Before the announcement of the National strategic planning in 2007, most tertiary providers in Malaysia have taken the steps to integrate e-learning in their learning environments. For them, implementing e-learning appears to be easy. On the other hand, this can be the opposite for young institutions such as the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM). The aim of this study is to analyse the importance of e-pedagogy towards a better adoption of e-learning at the Defence University. The utilisation of e-learning is still at its infancy at the NDUM. As such apart from gauging the awareness level of the academics, their understanding of the pedagogy involved when using e-learning must be identified. This study uses a quantitative method of research by analysing data collected from questionnaires distributed to academics at the NDUM. Preliminary findings show that similar to the hypothesis of the researcher, almost all respondents fail to appreciate e-learning because their understanding of e-pedagogy is limited. This is a massive challenge for the centre for professional development to tackle because the academics must be given ample and appropriate training in order to ensure that the Defence University is able to fulfil its CAP for e-learning. © Medwell Journals, 2011.