Yet another framework for understanding e-learning: YAFUEL

In the journey to understand e-learning, and more specifically, in trying to convert face-to-face courses to e-learning format, it is hard to see the whole (the forest) because you get lost among several theories, models, frameworks, tools, best practices, advices, etc. (the trees).

This is what happened to me and that is why I am creating a framework that makes e-learning easy to understand. I call it YAFUEL or Yet-another-framework-for-understanding-e-learning (Please note that it I am not trying to create new knowledge in the field but rather another way to see things, that is, just a  a map).

YAFUEL has 7 steps to a successful e-learning:

1. Project management - How are we going to control the project? to share information? to clarify roles and goals?
2. Instructional goals.- What are we trying to accomplish in terms of the Bloom taxonomy? Do we have emotional affective or psychomotor goals?
3. Students.- What are they expectations about the course? where are they going to apply the knowledge? how independent are? what technology skills do they have? can they do online research? how to post?
4. Instructor.-  Does the instructor has previous experience with e-learning? what technology skills does she have? what availability of time does he/she have? what are his expectations?
5. Course structure.- (in terms of Michael G. Moore) Modules, material, testing, calendar. This is the content of the actual face-to-face course
6. e-Instructional strategies.- Based on our understanding of the first five steps: How are we going to accomplish the instructional goals using e-learning? what are we going to do with transactional distance? are we going to establish the instructor expectations at the beginning of the course? what level of participation are students having? how do we motivate them? are we having completion dates? should we use scenario learning? is the course going to be mostly asynchronous or synchronous, or a mix? are we providing guidance? how are we going to provide feedback?
7. E-tools.- Based on the instructional strategies, what e-tools are we going to use? discussion boards? chat sessions? periodic news? e-mail? videos? FAQ? 

The next picture shows a graphic view of YAFUEL:

What do you think? Please leave your comments. Thank you.