Establishing Strategies in the Field of Electronic Learning

Background: Although nearly one decade has passed since the initial introduction of electronic learning in Iran, suitable guidelines and strategies for this educational method need to be established for active centers in this regard. Therefore, the present study aims to determine major stategies (strategic approach) and minor stategies used at the virtual university of Olume Hadis, as one of the active centers in this regard.Material & Methods: This study was a descriptive-survey study consisting of eight experts in the mentioned organization. By benefitting from a three-stage framework in strategic planning literature, the internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) factors of this institute were identified using the IFE and EFE tools and analyzed using a questionnaire. Then, ased on the obtained results from this stage and by using the IEFE among the three types of major strategies, the maintenance strategy was seleced. Finally, seven main strategies were written for this institute using the SWOT tool and evaluated and prioritized using the QSMP method.Results: Between three types of major strategies, the hold and maintenance strategies and Market Penetration and Development of Products chosen foe E-college. These strategies are written below based on their priority:• Introducing and propagating the universities capabilities (in order to attract audience)• Improving service quality (Educational, research, and technical) accompanied by reduction in expenses• Identifying and attracting new financial sources• Providing a foundation for creating and activating scientific associations related to electronic learning• Providing the scientific and executive staff of the faculty and training them• The qualitative and quantitative expansion of the universities representatives and their activities• Creating applied and inter-diciplinary courses with an emphasis on higher education.Conclusion: Using the maintenance strategy, followed by the market penetration and product development strategies, especially market penetration, that is more attractive for application according to the results of strategy prioritization (strategies 1, 2, 3, and 4), shows that electronic learning should be propagated in the society and implemented in the society's culture.