E-Learning Implementation in South Korea: Integrating Effectiveness and Legitimacy Perspectives

Abstract

E-learning has the potential to transform public education. Based on a theoretical framework that integrates effectiveness and social legitimacy perspectives, this paper examines e-learning implementation in South Korea, and attributes its success to policies and efforts that address and manage both e-learning technology’s effectiveness and its social legitimacy. The effectiveness of e-learning is enhanced by building efficient e-learning infrastructure, and making continuous standardization efforts, while social legitimacy is gained by establishing a sound regulatory system, applying a socially appropriate online pedagogy, raising public awareness, and building e-learning communities. The results offer valuable lessons for other countries that intend to implement e-learning in the educational sector.