E-Learning Defined

E-learning encompasses all kinds of teaching and learning methods that are electronically supported. The systems used both in communication and information, within a network or not, serves as the particular media being used in implementing the learning process. This term is more commonly used to refer to the educational experiences, both in and out of classroom, that uses technology. Currently advances are being made with regards to the devices used and the type of curriculum utilized in the instruction of learning.

E-learning is basically the transfer of knowledge and skills using the computer and enabled by a network. The processes and applications used in this teaching method includes computer-based and wed-based learning, digital collaboration and opportunities for virtual education. The educational content is delivered to the learners thru the use of the internet, video and audio tapes, extranet/intranet, CD-ROM and satellite TV. It allows learning to be led by an instructor or self teaching and the media used in the method comes in the form of an image, text, animation or audio/video streaming.

The terms synonymous to this modern day approach in educating are called Computer-based training or  CBT, Web-based training or WBT, and Internet Based Training or IBT.  These terms and abbreviations are used alongside the variations of the term E-learning like Elearning, eLearning and elearning.

The beginnings of E-learning probably began in early 1960 when psychology professors of Stanford University conducted an experiment using computers in teaching arithmetic and reading to young elementary students of California. The educational program of Stanford for the Gifted Youth is a product of these early experiments.

The earliest forms of this system method was used in an attempt to simulate the authoritarian teaching style wherein it was simply to transfer knowledge to the learner. Later on, a system was developed in contrast to this style which was the CSCL or Computer Supported Collaborative Learning which motivated learners and instructors to develop sharing of knowledge.

In an article published by Graziadel in 1997, he described a general strategy in developing a technology-based course management and development for the educational system. These products should be easy to utilize, maintain, replicate, portable, scalable and affordable. The program must have high prospects for succeeding with its cost efficiency in the long term. Thru the years, technology has developed different platforms for elearning such as virtual classrooms, blogs, ePortfolios and collaborative software. In several elearning situations these techniques are used in combination.