Complex model of e-learning evaluation focusing on adaptive instruction

E-learning evaluation as one of the phases of an e-learning project is rather often the one of the least importance to the developers of e-learning courses. In many cases we can find it performed through the simple means of a student evaluation questionnaire, despite the fact that such a complex matter can hardly be evaluated from just one point of view. This paper deals with a design of a complex model of evaluation with a special attention to adaptive e-learning courses which provide students with personalized/tailored instruction and the importance of which has nowadays indisputable growing tendency. As there are many elements interacting in the process of e-learning instruction, there are also numerous points of view and aspects to be considered within its evaluation. When designing the model of evaluation, we have chosen a systematic approach, defining first all of the interacting elements and determining evaluation aspects and methods of their analysis. Our conclusions presented in this paper are based on the recommendations of experts in pedagogy and didactics, as well as the best practices of e-learning courses design and development. (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.