Designing an Application to Empower Academic Staff Members in the Field of E-Learning

Abstract

Background: E-learning has emerged as a crucial method of education, extensively embraced by individuals aiming to improve their skills. Providing empowerment courses in this field for faculty members within a flexible learning framework can bolster the effectiveness of education. Methods: This research, which is applied, innovative, and technological, involves collecting quantitative and qualitative data. By reviewing the literature, analyzing sample platforms, and conducting interviews with experts in e-learning and medicine, we identified the educational elements and software features that meet user needs and preferences. A questionnaire, filled out by 30 professors from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, informed the development of the educational course. This course, designed according to the Ashur model, focuses on identifying user interface characteristics for software environment design and programming. Results: The analysis showed that faculty members are familiar with design patterns but need more knowledge of software and content production tools. The preference for asynchronous course delivery and content presented in written text, along with diverse forms of counseling and support (SMS, phone calls, social networks, and email), emerged as significant for the design of the platform environment. Conclusions: The faculty empowerment course, designed based on the Ashur model with considerations for learning environment design, including user interface and user experience, has been prepared for programming and implementation on an appropriate platform.