Analysis of the current situation at HEI

The result of the analysis of the existing situation may be recommendations for improving the application of e-learning at that HEI (of course, in accordance with the current situation, as well as the possibilities of the HEI, both financial and organisational).

Such recommendations can be divided into several categories, as follows:

Creating an institutional e-learning strategy

A higher education institution should develop a clearly defined e-learning strategy that will contain goals, priorities and a timeframe for the development of digitally supported education. The strategy should be aligned with the mission and vision of the institution and integrated into the overall development plan. It is important that the strategy is not a stand-alone initiative but is viewed in the broader context of the digital transformation of education, scientific activity and management. An example of a strategy from one HEI is the E-learning Strategy of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb, available at the link.

Investing in strengthening the digital competences of teaching and non-teaching staff

For e-learning to be effective, it is necessary to continuously develop the digital competences of teaching and administrative staff. This includes organising systematic education, workshops and professional training related to the use of digital tools, distance learning platforms and modern methodological approaches. It is also important to encourage teaching staff to join professional communities, research projects and international initiatives dealing with digital education.

Improve technical and digital infrastructure

A functional e-learning system relies on a stable technical infrastructure. For this purpose, the higher education institution should ensure fast and reliable internet connection, appropriate computer equipment and the availability of necessary software solutions. Learning management platforms (LMS) must be regularly upgraded, technically supported and connected to other relevant information systems, such as the student information management system (SIMS). The HEI should decide whether it wants to use its own servers to host the LMS or whether it will outsource this to experts from CARNET or SRCE and the servers hosted by them.

Development of e-college quality standards

It is necessary to develop and implement pedagogical and technical guidelines for the design and delivery of e-courses, to ensure a consistent and high level of quality. The establishment of standards should include criteria for the design of teaching content, interactivity, accessibility and systematic evaluation of courses. Regular monitoring and improvement of the quality of e-courses will contribute to the professionalisation of digital classes and an improvement of the students' user experience. An example of the framework for the development and assessment of e-college quality from the University of Rijeka is available at the link.

Encouraging the development of hybrid and flexible learning

The higher education institution should systematically promote the application of blended learning models which combine the advantages of contact and online teaching. Such models allow greater flexibility for students, especially those who work or study remotely. In addition, it is important to develop opportunities for asynchronous and synchronous learning, depending on the content, course objectives and student needs (which also includes the legal framework, i.e. the amendment of the HEI study regulations (an example of a regulation that recognises online teaching as one of the types of delivery methods is available at the link).

Improving support for students in the online environment

Students should have access to clear and timely information on how to participate in online classes, the use of digital tools, and available forms of support. In addition to technical support, it is recommended to establish mentoring systems, regular communication with students, and channels for providing feedback (in addition to websites and mailing lists, social networks should be included). All of this contributes to greater motivation, engagement, and success of students in the digital environment.

Establishing organisational and administrative support

In order to systematically develop e-learning, it is necessary to establish appropriate organisational structures. It is recommended to establish an office/centre or appoint an e-learning coordinator who will have a clear role in planning, monitoring and supporting digital educational activities. It is necessary to clearly define the responsibilities and processes within the institution so that all stakeholders have available support and guidelines in the implementation of e-learning. It is necessary to establish an e-learning committee at the HEI level, which would (at a minimum) consist of some of the board members, teachers with experience in using educational technologies/e-learning and heads of e-learning support centres.

Monitoring and evaluation of the application of e-learning

The higher education institution should develop mechanisms for systematic monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of e-learning. This includes collecting feedback from teachers and students through surveys, analysing data from the LMS and comparing learning outcomes. Based on these insights, it is possible to identify what is working and what requires adjustments, thereby ensuring continuous improvement of the e-learning system.

Encouraging the exchange of good practice examples

The institution should actively encourage the exchange of experiences among teachers, for example through internal seminars, presentations and publications. Showing examples of successful e-courses and digital innovations can serve as inspiration and support for colleagues who are just starting to implement e-learning. In addition, sharing good practices strengthens a collaborative culture and contributes to building a learning community within the institution.

Ensuring sustainability and investing in the further development of online and hybrid classes

To maintain the quality of online and hybrid teaching in a stable and continuous manner, it is necessary to secure financial resources, both for existing support and for new tools, content development, teacher training and the development of new teaching methods using digital technologies. For the long-term sustainability of the e-learning system, it is important to plan financial resources within the institution's budget. In addition to internal resources, the higher education institution should actively monitor funding opportunities through national and international projects, especially those related to the digitalisation of education. Funding should not be viewed as a cost, but as an investment and strategic investment in ensuring the quality and competitiveness of higher education.