A user-specific integrated approach for designing knowledge-based e-learning

Higher educational institutions (HEIs) have witnessed a high proliferation of e-learning systems especially in the last decade. Most of these virtual learning environments (VLEs) are centred on information transmission through improved communication, delivery and access to structured content and learning resources without much emphasis on user-specific content and pedagogical framework peculiar to the teaching and learning needs of the local HEI. The major concern has been the lack of flexibility of these VLEs in adapting to the existing variety of teaching and learning methods employed by various HEIs. To address this challenge, we have proposed a user-specific integrated approach for the design of knowledge-based e-learning systems. Using this approach, we developed a framework for the faculty of computing, Univeristi of Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Our focus was on three vital areas of e-learning: the delivery method, learning approaches, and learning strategies. The major contribution of this paper would be to aid educators understand how to design learning activities themselves that could facilitate their pedagogical use in different contexts.