Developing an e‐learning strategy in higher education

Purpose – This paper aims to clarify the challenges faced by higher education institutions such as budget cuts and the pressure to offer accessible, affordable anytime/anyplace learning and offer a solution in the form of the development of an e‐learning strategy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores recent research on higher education and e‐learning strategies in an effort to offer a participatory pedagogy coupled with cost effective technology as a solution to overcoming the increase in market demand and socioeconomic pressures facing higher education institutions. Findings – The paper provides pragmatic insights about the five stages of developing an e‐learning strategy, including determining the delivery method and technology, making curriculum and development decisions, integrating implementation and roll out strategies and monitoring and evaluating the new e‐programs. Research limitations/implications – The chosen research offers an approach as a starting point for developing an e‐learning strategy. Further research may be needed to generalize and apply the suggestions to individual higher education institutions. Practical implications – The paper includes implications for higher education institutions and other organizations wishing to explore the option of e‐learning as a delivery system for knowledge, training and instruction. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need to study the implications of technology on learning.