Technology applications in education: Electronic systems (E-systems) to improve curriculum management

Leaders need alternative programs to support the rapid development of curriculum and teachers need online learning activities to support their classroom teaching. This dissertation reports an initial study in a long-term research agenda for developing an online curriculum. The primary purpose of the study is to explore student and faculty perceptions of an online curriculum to help decision-makers and researchers determine whether they would pursue the use of such a tool to support online curriculum development. The secondary purpose of the study is to generate design knowledge to inform future development of, and research on, this or similar curriculum development. The methodology of this study includes three components: development research, rapid prototyping, and qualitative methods. Development research and rapid prototyping provided a three-stage framework for this study: conceptualization, development, and research. I synthesized the literature to create conceptual models of an Online Curriculum Framework (OCF) at the conceptualization stage, built a prototype to implement the models at the development stage, and conducted research to evaluate the prototype at the research stage. Qualitative methods guided data gathering and analysis. To gather the data, I followed a two-step data collection process: pre-intervention email and group interviews, and post-intervention online questionnaire. Key themes identified through a constructivist approach to grounded theory were used as the basis of analysis of interview responses and the generation of theory. This study found that on one hand, faculty members might use an OCF, because they perceived that this tool could support their classroom teaching. On the other hand, however, their perceived decision to use an OCF would also be influenced by the perceptions of the usefulness and usability of the tool. The study identified the initial evidence supporting an OCF as an online learning resource and the challenges involved in developing and implementing such a solution. It provides a 3D-E-Learning model as a base for decision-makers and departmental leaders to determine whether they should adopt this tool. It also offers some design guidance for those who do want to pursue this solution to curriculum development.