A Conceptual Framework for Cloud-based Collaborative Online Course Provision

A cloud-based collaborative environment for online course provision between universities can facilitate a cost-effective, efficient and enriched education enabling good student experience. However, there are a number of challenges and issues that should be taken into consideration prior to adopting the collaborative environment. They relate to management and administration, cost, collaborative Virtual Learning Environment, ownership, development of courses and teaching resources, as well as culture. To address these challenges a conceptual framework is proposed for this environment which highlights key issues and associated relationships between them. The framework contains five main elements, including Quality, Legal, Security, Operation and Education. The framework illustrates the relationship between the elements. A prototype is also discussed which was designed to test part of the framework.