Assessing Quality Dimensions and Elements of Online Learning

format that is interactive but not necessarily remote” (p. 6). Therefore, e-learning
describes the delivery of instructional content via all electronic media. The term e-
learning is sporadically used in higher education to describe learning online but typically
e-learning is used to describe online course environments in a corporate training context
(Yoon, 2003).
At times, online learning is equated with distance education. Online learning has
emerged as a specific expression of distance education in which instruction is delivered
via the Internet (Tallent-Runnels et al., 2007). In the literature, online learning is more
often than not defined as a delivery system. For example, Campbell (2006) defines online
learning in his study “as instruction delivered asynchronously through a Web-based
medium” (p. 379). However, to describe online learning only in terms of its delivery
system neglects important aspects of the environment which have implications for
learning and quality assessment (Seok, 2008).
Definition of Online Learning
To be useful in discussing the quality of online learning environments, a
definition of online learning must take into consideration all components that impact
meaningful learning. Dabbagh and Bannan-Ritland (2005) define online learning as “an
open and distributed learning environment that uses pedagogical tools, enabled by the
Internet and Web-based technologies to facilitate learning and knowledge building
through meaningful action and interaction” (p. 15). The researchers list the following
characteristics of online learning:
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