The Challenges of E‐Learning: A SWOT Analysis of Online Courses

Abstract

Background
With the projected rapid growth of the demand for online education and its importance in post‐secondary
education Contacos‐Sawyer (2010), many educational institutions the world over, are increasing relying on the
support of ICT to deliver course materials and communicate with students.
Problem
The proliferation of online courses provides an expansive knowledge domain within the education sector. The
voluminous possibilities information and communication technology (ICT) attributes to online courses and their
delivery represents an array of challenges such as combating surface learning and even cheating.
Purpose & Aims
The aim of this paper is firstly to evaluate the essential characteristics of online courses as a means of
delivering education through a simple SWOT analysis and thereby appraise the value of such courses with
regards to delivery and participatory expectations.
Implementation & Results
From here by extension the study identifies a number common issues relating to online courses through both a
teacher and learner perspective at a Swedish University and the authors conclude by offering suggestions of
how to address motivation loss and plagiarism taking cognisance of what makes 'Good academic learning'
McCormack & Pressley (1997) where motivation, knowledge, strategies and metacognition come to bear.