Enterprise architecture roadmap for the development of distance online learning programs in tertiary education

Abstract

When universities are trying to convert their existing face-to-face courses to distance online learning programs at a project level, faculty members usually have to commit extra time other than their normal teaching and preparation hours to prepare the e-learning course content because their original face-to-face course materials are not fully compatible with the online learning settings. If universities are going to convert their face-to-face courses in a large scale on an ongoing basis, there is a clear need for us to re-design the enterprise architecture to lower the cost of the e-learning development and make the process more efficient. This paper will use two case studies to highlight the issues that the faculty members have been experiencing when they participate in the e-learning development, and to point out good practices. Then based on the Zachman Framework, a “To-Be” Enterprise Architecture is proposed, which enables academic staff to start contributing to the e-learning development at an early stage such as at the time when they are preparing for the face-to-face courses.