Success Factors in the Implementation of e-Learning in a UK Higher Education Institution

Abstract

This chapter considers the implementation of strategies, policies, and actions to improve the use of e-learning within a United Kingdom (UK) university. This university is an example of a wider class, in that it is a post-1992 university, one of the 36 former “polytechnics” that were changed to public universities on a national level under the Further and Higher Education Act (1992). Other new public universities have been created since then. The university is located in Southern England with over 20,000 students, 84 percent of whom are undergraduates. The university describes itself as “a top modern university for student satisfaction.” Many of the degree programs available include some vocational aspects, and over half of the courses are accredited or validated by professional organizations. The author was variously faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences e-learning coordinator and Learning and Teaching coordinator from 2005 to2011.