The history of e-learning

When we disscuss the begining of e-learning, it is necessary to refer to the history of distance learning. Because a brief look at it will give more clear about the origin of e-learning.

The concept of distance learning predates the computer area by almost 100 years.

In 1840's, in England, distance learning used mail for communication. It was the best way at that time, and because of the postal service improvements, this type of learning became more popular in the early part of the last century.

In the late 1950's, television and radio were the technologies that added to use for this type of learning. However, these tools still lacked of ability for two-way communication between instructors and learners. So these tools still did not good enough for this type of learning.

During the early 1980's, experimentation with online bill-board system (BBS) and e-mail were brought to help distance learning more effectively. These technology tools provided a framwork for online learning that is still used nowadays.

In the early 1990's, the term "e-learning" was coined. It specifically referred to include the internet technology or other interactive or electronic media to use in distance learning to enable true two ways communication.

In this present-day, there are many high technologies can be used in e-learning, for example, internet technology, multimedia and packaged software programs. Therefore, using e-learning in education world now tends to increase rapidly because of its useful and convenience.

Ref: http://apps.hct.ac.ae/ewb2005/2005/ewb_newsletter_04_10.pdf

http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Brief-History-of-E-learning-and-Distance-Education&id=496460

What are the types of e-learning?

Since e-learning is the term generally used to refer to using electronic-enhanced learning, or in other words, e-learning is not the only term used to refer to using computer-enhanced learning. E-learning can be classified into 3 types by using the criteria time and distance.

1. Asynchronous e-learning: communication does not occur at the same time and uses technology tools such as blogs, discussion boards, and e-mail for activities. The main idea of this e-learning type is learners exchange the ideas or information independently from the other learners involvement at the same time.

2. Synchronous e-learning: communication occurs at the same time and uses technology tools such as chat, audio or video conferencing for learners' participation activities. The main idea of this e-learning type is every learner joins participation in activities at the same time. Additionally, instructors and learners do not meet physically, but using these technology tools for communication instantly.

3. E-learning of blended learning: combines e-learning tools with an actual traditional classroom to guarantee maximum effectiveness. The main idea of this e-learning type is using only e-learning is not to make sure a learner has actually completed a course, and learners' gaining the benefits of interaction with the others are essential. Moreover, face-to-face interaction is the good way to help learners get more social learning than using only online learning.

Ref: http://www.namahn.com/resources/documents/note-e-learning.pdf

What is e-learning?

Electronic learning that is shortly said e-learning, is one of the new, modern forms of education now. There are many definitions available of e-learning, but I present here only a few of them to gain some understanding about it.
Definition of e-learning:
1. E-learning is the learning or education program by electronic means.
2. E-learning covers a wide set of applications and processes such as web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via the internet, intranet/extranet, audio and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV and CD-ROM.
3. The main characters of e-learning is delivery of the digital content.
According to these definitions, it can be concluded that e-learning can involve a greater variety of device than online learning that involves only using the internet and intranet. Or in other words, e-learning courses can consist of multimedia presentations, video and audio sequences, etc.

Ref: http://derekstockley.com.au/eindex1.html

http://www.namahn.com/resources/documents/note-e-learning.pdf

http://www.chengzhi.net/english/index.htm