Using SNAP to Analyze Policy Measures in e-Learning Roadmaps

Abstract

Creating policy measures is the final step in the process of e-learning roadmap development. Policy measures can be seen as long-term activities that need to be implemented and constantly upgraded to achieve strategic goals. For resource allocation, it is useful to prioritize policy measures. Prioritization can be implemented using multi-criteria decision-making methods. This paper analyzes policy measures in the Maldives National University’s e-learning roadmap using the social network analysis process (SNAP), which includes the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and the PageRank centrality. In policy measure evaluation, there were more than 20 participants: persons with managerial functions at the Maldives National University (MNU) (deans, heads of departments) and persons in lecturer and researcher positions. By using the AHP, participants prioritized policy measures with respect to their importance to them. By using the DEMATEL, participants identified and prioritized policy measures with respect to their effect on other measures. Finally, by using the SNAP, it was possible to determine the prioritization list for resource allocation since it aggregates the aspects of the policy measures, their importance, and their effect on other measures.