National Readiness for E-learning

Abstract: In this thesis a comparative study of Sweden and Thailand was conducted in order to find out why Sweden is top-ranked and Thailand low-ranked on an e-learning readiness scale. More specifically, I was focusing on the net universities in Sweden and in Thailand. The net universities and the countries were contrasted in order to find out, not only if the differences or similarities had any influence of the e-learning readiness rankings, but also to see what could be done to make Thailand more successful in e-learning. The purpose of the study was to find out how a country best succeed with net universities and e-learning on a national level. The thesis is a qualitative study with interviews and documents used as the primary methods. Based on a previous study, a framework consisting of six components of an e-learning strategy was created and used throughout the study. The components included in the framework are: connectivity, capability, content, culture, technology advances and cluster. The thesis and the framework will hopefully be applicable and useful in other countries that wish to improve e-learning on a national level. The results of the study show that Thailand and the Thai net university need to make efforts to improve some of the e-learning components in order to become successful in e-learning and become higher ranked in the e-learning readiness scale. Since a high level of quality must be ensured within every component in order to succeed, it is necessary to consider all six components when developing an e-learning strategy.