Establishing a Performance Testing Approach for E-Learning Applications

Most of the E-Learning applications perform poorly in motivating employees to learn. To solve this problem, we need to examine what workplace e-learning requires and how workplace e-learning systems should be developed in line with those requirements. We investigated the problem by identifying the fundamental elements of the workplace learning environment including the learner, organization, learning content and social context, and their relationships. We found that workplace e-learning should align individual and organizational learning needs, connect learning and work performance, and support social interaction among individuals. To achieve this, a performance testing approach is proposed. Key performance indicators are utilized to clarify organizational goals, make sense of work context and requests on work performance, and accordingly help employees set up rational learning objectives and enhance their learning process. Using this approach, prototype system has been developed and a set of experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. This paper also presents the use of software verification, validation and testing technique, traditionally used in the software development, in the design and implementation of E-Learning products. We examine the ways one can apply testing techniques in E-Learning life cycle. This includes the strategy adoption for the selection of testing technique along with tool acquisition and measurement. The objective is to develop a collaborative approach involving software testing and educational methodology