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E-Learning is a Social Tool for E-Commerce at Tertiary Institutions 163
learners and keep them engaged in the online learning process need to be
discovered as society move forward into the digital age (Hill, 2001).
Three Pillars of Technology-Enhanced E-Learning
Serdiukov (2001) suggested a Teacher-Computer-Student model, which
consists of several components of technology-enhanced e-learning (See Figure 1).
The Learner
Jones et al. (2000) suggested that proficiency in computer-based multimedia
is an important skill to students who use the Internet on a fairly regular basis. (Piccoli
et al. 2001) divided e-learning into the following dimensions:
• Human dimension
• Technology dimension
The learner and facilitator form part of the human dimension and technology
form part of the design dimension. Students have found themselves in a comfort
zone within the classroom and are the primary participants in any learning
environment. E-learning has noticeably increased the student use of technology and
has shifted control and responsibility to the learners. E-learning allows a flexible
dimension in terms of any time, place and space, which are very attractive to
students who have difficulty attending lectures. All the participants, learners and
facilitators, interact extensively with ICT. The learners who are comfortable with
technology and have a positive attitude toward it are more likely to succeed within
an e-learning environment.
Rossiter (1999) agreed that computer literacy is being added to the list of
generic capabilities, as an attribute needed by all students who effectively wants to
Figure 1: Teacher-Computer-Student Model of Learning
Student
Teacher
Source: Serdiukov, 2001
Computer
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