Negotiating the path from curriculum design to e-learning course delivery: A study of critical success factors for instructional systems design

E-learning has been said to offer many benefits to learners, but to be effective, it requires the combination of a complex set of technological, pedagogical and organizational components. Integrating these very different aspects of e-learning can be challenging and may at times require the resolution of contradictory demands and conflicting needs. Yet, at this point, many universities are still trying to redesign their courses, professional practice and administrative procedures in order to address the emerging demands of this new approach. One matter of crucial importance to any e-learning initiative is the appropriate design and development of its learning environment. Instructional Systems Design (ISD) is the framework whereby the technological, pedagogical and organizational components are considered and brought together to create viable learning environments and programmes. This paper reports on research that identifies and assesses Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for ISD in order to develop coherent and consistent environments that can underpin the successful implementation of e-learning courses and programmes, thus providing an explicit theoretical foundation upon which decision-making and strategic thinking about the design and development of e-learning can be based.