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What is e-Learning?

This page provides links to some very general resources on e-learning to help you understand what it is and its potential in education and training.

Articles in date order, most recent first.

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| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |

Virtual Studies

Virtual Studies.net talks about the various advantages of virtual learning. It also states detailed information on the current scenario of virtual studies environment.

Added: 14 November 2007
Reviewer's Note:

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Web 2.0: A new wave of innovation for teaching and learning?

"The term is audacious: Web 2.0. It assumes a certain interpretation of Web history, including enough progress in certain directions to trigger a succession ... Many people-including, or perhaps especially, supporters-critique the "Web 2.0" moniker for definitional reasons. Few can agree on even the general outlines of Web 2.0. It is about no single new development. Moreover, the term is often applied to a heterogeneous mix of relatively familiar and also very emergent technologies ... Ultimately, the label "Web 2.0" is far less important than the concepts, projects, and practices included in its scope."  Bryan Alexander, Educause Review, Vol 41, No 2 (March/April 2006)

Added: 18 March 2006
Reviewer's Note:
Conclusion: The story of this wave of innovation, whether we call it Web 2.0 or something else, is itself emergent and uncertain ... This Web 2.0 movement (or movements) may not supplant "Web 1.0," but it has clearly transformed a significant swath of our networked information ecology."

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What lies beyond e-learning?

"Just when we thought we had e-learning all figured out, it's changing again. After years of experimentation and the irrational exuberance that characterized the late 1990s, we find our views of e-learning more sober and realistic. This is a good sign; we can make more rational forecasts of how the field will evolve. It also presents some challenges, and the direction we are heading may not be the path we originally thought we were on." Marc Rosenberg, Learning Circuits, March 2006

Added: 7 March 2006
Reviewer's Note:
This article is based on Marc Rosenberg's new book, "Beyond E-Learning: Approaches and Technologies to Enhance Organizational Knowledge, Learning and Performance"

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Trends: Out with the old, in with the new

"There are tried and true learning methods, methodologies, and technologies. There are also new technologies that once evaluated make sense to incorporate into existing education and training programs. More important, new technologies may offer opportunities for learning we would not have otherwise. However, before jumping on any bandwagon, here are some guidelines for integrating new technology into your programs." Amy Finn, Learning Circuits, December 2005

Added: 17 December 2005
Reviewer's Note:
Here's a prescription for assessing and integrating new learning technologies.

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E-Learning 2.0

"E-learning as we know it has been around for ten years or so. During that time, it has emerged from being a radical idea-the effectiveness of which was yet to be proven-to something that is widely regarded as mainstream. It's the core to numerous business plans and a service offered by most colleges and universities.  And now, e-learning is evolving with the World Wide Web as a whole and it's changing to a degree significant enough to warrant a new name: E-learning 2.0." Stephen Downes, eLearn Magazine, October 2005

Added: 18 October 2005
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Stephen talks about where we are now and the way ahead in e-learning

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Categories of elearning

"One of the biggest challenges in discussing elearning arises from different understandings of the field. Most often, we attach our experiences and career to our conversations, presenting an image of elearning that reflects what we have encountered. For an instructional designer, elearning often means courses or learning materials directed at meeting an objective within the larger scope of program development. A corporate trainer may view elearning as a combination of courses and knowledge management. No one perspective is symbolic of the whole industry."  George Siemens, elearnspace, 18 October 2004

Added: 19 October 2004
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George also draws a mindmap to show  the interrelation of categories:

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What is eLearning?

"This is a short eLearning course on What is e-learning, How e-learning can be used and How and who benefits from e-learning".
Find an introduction to e-learning at Education and Training.

Added: 30 July 2004
Reviewer's Note:
Short course produced by Oxford eLearning and Moore eLearning

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What's in a name?

"We need to understand that names, labels and titles really do matter. They provide structure and clarity in most companies, a common language for investors and industry analysts and a mental framework for customers. I've seen terminology limit roles and responsibilities and carve up budgets. So despite its simplicity, a very important question is "How does your organization define e-learning?"  Kevin Kruse, Chief learning Officer Magazine, July 2003

Added: 25 July 2003
Reviewer's Note:
A short piece on what the name "e-learning" actually means.  The conclusion: forget about the name, concentrate on making it work

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If you only look under the street lamps .. or nine e-learning myths

"The e-learning industry is obsessed with finding the right answers to the question, "Why hasn't e-learning been successful?"  Perhaps we have been looking in the obvious - but wrong - places because our mythology of e-learning is misleading."  Lance Dublin, eLearning Developers Journal, 16 June 2003

Added: 19 June 2003
Reviewer's Note:
You will need to register with the eLearning Guild to access this article

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E-Journey on E-Learning

"This e-journey is a free guide to e-learning written by Derek Stockley. E-learning is explained, the major fields of expertise are explored, gurus and experts are listed and a comprehensive range of links is provided.  This online training course/program assumes a basic knowledge of how the internet operates, however the elearning content is suitable for both the novice and experienced user. It is an example of computer based training." Derek Stockley

Added: 26 May 2003
Reviewer's Note:
A good overview of e-learning

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Eulogy for e-learning

 

Added: 6 April 2003
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Jay Cross of the Internet Group explains why he thinks e-learning is dead.  (This web-based presentation was created with Macromedia Breeze)

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10 damaging e-learning myths

"Make no mistake about it, the e-learning industry is going through troubled times. The current economic climate isn't conducive to providing top quality e-learning and there are mixed opinions about the success of this type of training. We can argue about the causes of this phenomenon forever. However, this article presents 10 damaging myths that we feel are contributing to the problems facing our industry. These myths seem to be spreading at an infectious pace. This list isn't intended as a criticism of any existing e-learning company - we have tremendous admiration for anyone who works in this difficult industry. Rather, this list gives us an opportunity to look again at the assumptions and beliefs that have come to define our dealings with customers." elearningpost, 3 March 2003

Added: 7 March 2003
Reviewer's Note:
You can also discuss this article - already some good points here (http://www.elearningpost.com/features/archives/001749.asp?discuss=yes)

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The Trainers' Introduction to e-Learning

"We have prepared this guide to share the knowledge we have gained during our eLearning journey and hope it is of use to you."

Added: 21 December 2002
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An overview of some of the aspects of e-learning

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e-Learning System and Technology Concept

 

Added: 11 December 2002
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A couple of linked web pages providing an overview of e-learning.  From the Assumption University of Thailand

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E-Learning: The second wave

"There's a lot of talk in e-learning circles these days about the arrival of the "second wave." Granted, just trying to catch a ride on the first wave proved a challenge for some would-be e-surfers. But in nearly every facet of the e-learning movement, signs are that the next wave is coming. And in spite of gloomy reports and the shaky economy, the second wave may be rolling in faster than you think." Craig R Taylor, Learning Circuits, 21 October 2002

Added: 29 October 2002
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"Even if you wiped out on the first wave, a second one is coming. Catch the ride."

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Mentored learning

"There are many different types of online education courses. They range from downloadable self-paced courses to real-time, instructor-led courses. And while most people can understand each end of this spectrum, it is in the middle ground where most of the confusion lies." Doug Talbott, tech Learning 1 September 2002, 

Added: 16 September 2002
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"The middle ground is loosely called 'mentored-learning'."

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Cert Mag's Guide to eLearning

"The intent of this article is to explore and explain the different training facets of e-learning to provide insight and clarity for Certification Magazine readers who review, buy and use various types of training to maintain and advance their careers. Since actual training comes from content presented in some form, the focus of this article will be limited to the two methods of content delivery through the Internet-self-paced (commonly referred to as asynchronous) and live (commonly referred to as synchronous) e-learning."

Added: 6 August 2002
Reviewer's Note:
An overview of asychronous and synchronous learning

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The end of the course as we know it

"The days may well be numbered for the course as the essential 'unit of learning'. The typical course is a shrink-wrapped offering where every learner receives the same training, regardless of the job that they do or the skills they already possess."

Added: 3 May 2002
Reviewer's Note:
Another well reasoned argument about why we need to re-think the "course" as the standard way of approaching training

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understanding e-learning

 

Added: 13 April 2002
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A special from FT.com.  It includes sections on desktop learning, service providers, wireless training, financial  sector

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Confessions of an e-learner

"Why the course paradigm is all wrong" Eve Drinis and Amy Corrigan

Added: 6 April 2002
Reviewer's Note:
The essence of the argument is that providing courses in traditional formats suits nobody and that's why learners drop out.  The same theme as the article below this - just presented in a different way. Excellently articulated!

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Read all about it: online learning facing 80% attrition rates

Jim Flood, Director of Learning, COROUS in TOJDE April 2002

Added: 6 April 2002
Reviewer's Note:
This article uses this attention-grabbing headline to provide an understanding of what e-learning is really all about and why it fails in many cases.  Two particular points  that appealed to me were: (1) "Many aid agencies working to improve the technology in poor countries recognise that aid needs to be appropriate; to be sustainable it needs to use local materials, draw on local skills and to be in tune with the environment. In terms of e-learning much of the technology currently used is unnecessarily specialised and tends to alienate rather than include people. Some of the complex learning management systems could be seen as the aid equivalent to the $50,000 tractor in Ethiopia."  (2) "There are currently 169 learning management systems for sale in the UK - and none are necessary to begin e-learning."

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What executives must know about e-learning

"So you've heard about this electronic-learning thing. Can it work in your organization? Before you make an assessment, learn the lingo. Computer-based and Web-based training usually refer only to synchronous (when instructors and students are online at the same time, which requires less labor to develop and more to teach) and asynchronous training (when instructors and students are not online at the same time, which requires more resources to develop, but next to none to teach)." Saul Carliner, Potomac Tech Journal, 18 March 2002

Added: 20 March 2002
Reviewer's Note:
A very quick summary of e-learning

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10 mini-myths of e-learning and the data to dispel them

 

Added: 2 March 2002
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A PowerPoint presentation by Curt Bonk, President of CourseShare.com

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Distance learning technology is 

"Education`s future and an important step to bridging the digital divide or A waste of time that removes from teaching the crucial human touch."  Online poll first compiled in Fast Company in September 2000 (now 15/2 over 3600 votes)

Added: 15 February 2002
Reviewer's Note:
Cast you vote first then add your comments

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Reflections on e-Learning

"There is great deal of hype, both on and off the internet, of e-learning being the next great savior of training, development, and education. This paper will look at both the hype and the validity of e-learning." Don Clark, Big Dog's Bowl of Biscuits

Updated: 12 October 2001
Reviewer's Note:
Quite a wide look at e-learning. The "Myths and Realities of e-Learning" is realistic.

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How e-learning works

"In this edition of HowStuffWorks, we'll visit the field of electronic learning, find out how it works and what makes it effective both from the learner's perspective and the training producer's perspective. We'll also take a look at the reality of e-learning by examining the technology from a company called Trainersoft®" HowStuffWorks

Added: 7 October 2001
Reviewer's Note:
An overview of e-learning with some interesting pages on The Psychology of E-Learning and Integrating Media and Interactivity.  However, it only discusses e-learning in the context of designing online courses and not as is now accepted in much wider terms that encompass the provision of JIT information, performance support, corporate communications, etc

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re-learning e-learning

"Thomas Koulopoulos thinks e-learning can help turn staid skills-training into learning on the fly" Darwin Magazine, September 2001 Added: 13 September 2001

Reviewer's Note: Thomas Koulopoulos, author of the X-Economy and President of The Delphi Group explains how the future of e-learning is not formal courses but JIT delivery.
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What is e-learning?

A collection of resources that help to identify what e-learning is.  Jay Cross, Internet Time Group

Updated: 17 July 2001
Reviewer's Note:
An interesting page of thoughts and resources from Jay Cross

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E-Learning's straight shooter

"Elliott Masie says learning is a social event, and E-learning is headed for a convergence with knowledge management" Information Week, January 2001.

Added: May 2001
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about e-learning

"This document is an abridgement of several documents from various investment groups that are investigating e-Learning and expecting it to be one of the next big things to be revolutionized by the Internet.  ... This document is broken into two parts. The first part answers the question, "What is e-Learning?" and focuses on the trends and forces behind e-Learning. The second part of the document addresses the numbers and the size of the learning market. Although the numbers mentioned in the various e-Learning reports differ, the opportunities remain extensive." Compiled and prepared by Learnframe.

Added: 2000
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Facts, figures and forces behind e-learning is the  pdf version (81 pages)

 

Added: 2000
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e-Learning FAQ

"What is eLearning, Does it matter? How does it work? How well does it work?" etc.  Jay Cross, Internet Time Group.

Added: 2000
Reviewer's Note:
a comprehensive introduction to e-learning

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e-learning is a 24 x 7 endeavor

"The potential of anytime, anywhere access to education-oriented content, programming and services is capturing the attention of entrepreneurs, who are putting ubiquitous computing, distributed networks and broadband access to good use." By Margaret Quan, EE Times, 8 September 2000

Added: 2000
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E-learning vs face-to-face training: And the winner is ...

"Can e-learning compete with face-to-face training?" By John Walls, Houston Business Journal, August 2000.

Added: 2000
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What's e-learning?

A presentation by Jay Cross, Internet Time Group, 11 January 2000

Added: 2000
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