The European Commission defines
e-learning, i.e. learning via electronic ('e') means, as "the use of new multimedia technologies and the Internet to improve learning quality by facilitating access to educational resources and services, as well as to opportunities for online forums and teamwork initiatives".
This definition covers any learning method based partly or wholly on use of information and communication technologies in order to facilitate the organisation of and access to training and learning opportunities and that, in particular:
- Lessens time and space constraints;
- Makes it possible to individualise training trajectories*;
- Encourages learners to become more self-sufficient;
- Develops online pedagogical relationships with the tutor* or with other learners.
Primarily then, this is an innovative, hi-tech training system whose main advantage is the exceptional flexibility it offers regarding training times and places, which are generally chosen according to learner availabilities as there is no need for teachers to be physically present.
This does not mean, however, that learners are left entirely to their own devices; they still require guidance from a tutor who can provide appropriate support when difficulties arise. Another possibility is to organise an online learner group in order to build up an interactive discussion and
support network*.
Communications can be carried out synchronously* and/or asynchronously*, between learners and/or between learners and tutors. Course contents may include a whole range of multimedia components (text, audio, video, animation, etc.) paired with tools designed to facilitate online training management. One such example would be the learning content management systems integrated with certain training platforms.
These platforms provide broader access to learning resources and extend the possibilities for interactive discussion and teamwork.
Dans cette rubrique vous retrouverez aussi :
>> The different types of e-learning solution
>> The different roles the teacher may play in the distance learning process
>> A quiz to help you distinguish between various types of e-learning course
>> A study presenting the situation of e-learning in Luxembourg
>> Feedbacks