Why e-Learning in Slovenia is left behind?

Abstract

The beginnings of introduction of development of information and communications technology (ICT) in education in Slovenia were promising, where in late nineties, majority of educational institutions were equipped with new technology. In 2017 the first comprehensive survey on the situation of digitalization and e-learning in higher education in Slovenia was carried out. It was designed as a web survey that included all higher education institutions in Slovenia and was comparable with international European University Association survey on e-learning in Europe. Relatively high response rate (45%) and representativeness of the sample distinguish survey results. The comparison with the European data from the point of view of the availability of ICT shows a satisfactory picture, while Slovenia remains behind in terms of using ICT as a means for improving quality and innovating higher education. Majority of HE institutions do not use ICT for other than administration and communication purposes. The paper will focus on identification of key barriers which hamper thorough development of e-learning in higher education in Slovenia. Survey results on respondents' (mainly academic leaders) perception on e-learning will be elucidated; government as important external player of implementing e-learning will also be examined for Slovenia.