Impacts, changes, and technical issues that arise when introducing an online learning tool in a tertiary educational organisation

Abstract

The introduction and use of online learning tools have been on the increase over the last decade. Educational organisations all over the world have implemented online learning to improve the accessibility to study from anywhere and at anytime. The process of introducing an online learning tool, the technical issues, and the changes that staff members endure to adapt to the online learning tool are some of the important factors in that affect adoption to the new software tool.

The purpose of this study was to find out the impacts, changes, and technical issues that occur when online learning is introduced in a tertiary educational organisation for distance learning students. Staff members at the educational organisation where the case study was conducted were surveyed and interviewed to find out the impacts, changes, technical issues, Information Technology (IT) support, and training that they experienced when the online learning tool was introduced.

Based on the responses received from the survey and interview it was apparent that most staff members at Organisation X are positive about the change that has occurred, because most of the responses from the staff members were positive towards the online learning tool although there were some technical and usability issues when they first started using the tool. It is also evident from the responses that sufficient IT support and IT training was provided to all staff members to help them understand the features and usability of the online learning tool.

The findings of this research support much of what has been in the literature. It is hoped that this report will serve as a guidance of the technical changes and impact on a staff member‟s role and responsibility that can occur when an online learning tool is introduced in an organisation.