Change Management in Higher Education: Implementation of e-Learning as a Sustainable Innovation

How can e-Learning – still an innovation in Higher Education – be implemented according to its strategic potentials? Recent experiences demonstrate that allembracing theories about university development and quality assurance are gaining importance. Only when e-Learning concepts offer a didactic value will they stand in the future. But a new culture in learning requires substantial changes in organisations. These developments challenge universities and on-the-job-training with new demands. In this article we present a systematic framework for the sustainable implementation of e-Learning developed on the basis of several empirical studies (expert interviews, Delphi-method, case studies). Primarily, the strategy has to be defined for the innovation phase and diffusion of e-Learning. Furthermore, five shaping areas can be identified as key for the sustainable implementation: pedgagogy, technology, organisation, economics, and culture. Finally, we open the discussion for further theses about change processes initiated by educational innovations.

25.02.2007 | Dieter EULER & Sabine SEUFERT (St. Gallen)