What is E-Learning?

The American Society for Trainers and Development (ASTD) defines e-learning as "instructional content or learning experiences delivered or enabled by electronic technology". Electronic technology encompasses everything from Computer-Based Training (CBT), to compact disks (CDs), to Web-based applications. However, e-learning has increasingly come to mean "Web-enabled material deployed using the Net".¹

E-learning can be delivered in two ways: synchronously and asynchronously. Synchronous e-learning takes place "live"-- a virtual classroom of sorts. It may feature real-time, Web-based videoconferencing, audio conferencing with presentation material, and on-line chat. Some people refer to synchronous e-learning as "Distance Learning".² In contrast, asynchronous e-learning may take place any time, and is self paced. Because of its lower cost of development, reusable components, and convenience to the learner, asynchronous e-learning — sometimes called "Distributed Learning" — is receiving more attention in the e-learning industry today.

Revolution in the Making

Looking ahead, the magnitude of e-learning's impact on the world seems difficult to overestimate. The ubiquitous, "always-on" characteristics of the Internet mean that learners will be able to acquire knowledge anywhere, anytime. This comes at a time when conducting business, as never before, demands the ability to rapidly change, and, consequently, a well-informed workforce.

The ability to parse information into smaller and smaller chunks--and "tag" those "learning content objects" with classification information — will produce two important results:

• Increased delivery of information "just in time" — on the job, when it is needed, even to mobile devices
  
  
• Reuse of learning material, within enterprises and in the public domain

All of this will drive the costs to produce and deliver instructional material continuously lower . . . benefiting commerce, government, and education, in developed and developing countries. The individual worker or student will be increasingly empowered to take responsibility for acquiring the knowledge and skills he or she deems necessary.

E-learning will also stimulate changes in the measurement of learning and performance. "Clock hour" measurements, typified by class time or number of courses taken, will gradually be replaced by more "outcome" measurements, requiring the demonstration of skills.