A research synthesis of critical success factors of e-learning: A model development

learning processes has become an important issue in the field of education around the world. According to the announced statistics, this is spreading rapidly and widely. e-learning, as the most prominent application of ICT, has added a new dimension to the primary and higher education, and the use of online resources has been successfully combined with education to facilitate teaching-learning activities. That is why in recent years, many organizations, universities and companies have started offering e-learning courses. e-learning is a wide range of application software and teaching methods including computer-based education, web-based education, virtual classrooms, etc. The present study aimed at investigating and identifying critical success factors of e-Learning to develop a comprehensive model for success of e-learning.

The research approach was qualitative and the method was synthesis. The research population was all of the articles (85 articles) related to Critical Success Factors of e-Learning since 2007 to 2017 in accredited journals using specific keywords. The sample included 41 articles selected purposefully based on the theoretical saturation of data. The data were collected from the qualitative analysis of documents.  

Using analyzing data, Critical Success Factors of e-learning were classified in 3 dimensions, 8 factors and 52 indicators including structural dimension (organizational, support, system quality, content, and educational factors); behavioral dimension (learner, instructor), and environmental dimension (technology). The results of the data analysis led to the identification of Critical Success Factors of e-learning as a model.

In this study, an attempt was made to analyze the documents and studies conducted on the key factors of e-learning success and identify the key factors of e-learning success, to provide a model for e-learning success. As the results of the analysis show, e-learning success factors include three structural dimensions (including: organizational, educational, content, support, and system quality); Content or behavioral dimension (including factors: learner and teacher); and the contextual or environmental dimension (including factor: technology). With a clear view, it can be said that examining and considering all the factors of e-learning success is necessary for its growth and development. Most of the studies have emphasized the importance of structural dimension in e-learning success, although behavioral and contextual dimensions are also essential for e-learning success. Therefore, e-learning centers should also try to identify the factors that may affect their success and, given these factors, ensure the success of e-learning. The findings of this study to some extent is capable of informing them of these factors.