An Evaluation of the ELNP E-Learning Quality Assurance Program: Perspectives of Gap Analysis and Innovation Diffusion (National Science and Technology Program for E-Learning) (Report)

Introduction Recently, the application of the Internet and multi-media technologies to learning has transformed the traditional face-to-face learning into a new and pervasive variety of "anytime, anywhere, and anyone" e-learning. In responding to the rapid growth of e-learning applications, the "National Science and Technology Program for e-Learning (ELNP)" was launched by the National Science Council of the Executive Yuan of Taiwan with the aims to a) upgrade Taiwan's overall competitiveness in the era of knowledge economy, b) stimulate the development of e-learning related industries, and c) bring about new waves of academic research (ELNP, 2003). From the viewpoint of national development, bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas has become an important issue. It is, therefore, imperative for the government to take the lead in building an affordable, effective, and easy-to-access e-learning environment, especially for the remote regions of the country. From the human resource viewpoint, the needs to train a great number of internationally competitive talents in order to compensate for the country's limited space and natural resources are essential in maintaining its competitiveness in the knowledge economy era. Whereas quality e-learning can provide efficient and effective digital learning experiences to the learners through web-based interactive methods, it also plays an important role in improving the quality of human resources. ELNP is an integral part of the nation's efforts to lead Taiwan into the knowledge economy century under the Council for Economic Planning and Development's national development plan, "Challenge 2008". The 5- year e-learning development program aimed to build a quality e-learning environment for education and training, with the hope to enhance the quality of human resources, bridge the digital divide between rural and urban regions in the country, and bring about better competitiveness of the nation in the knowledge economy century (ELNP, 2006). Therefore, it is hoped that ELNP will serve as a driving force for e-learning related industries and improve the nation's overall competitiveness.