E-learning on its own has such a wide definition since it has also a very wide variety of applications. E-learning can also be spelled as e-learning and it was derived from the phrase “electronic learning.” It refers to different fields of technology based learning. Basically, with the help of the internet, not only is learning made more accessible and easier for a lot of people, it also helps speed up the learning process since the medium is made more animated, interactive, and illustrative with the use of the right technological know-how.
At the most basic level, elearning can simply be described or defined as learning with the help of electronic technology. Any one who wants to take advantage of this kind of system would do well to think about what specific type of TEL or technology enhanced learning would fit their needs? For example, offline software packages might be good for employee training or teaching a certain lesson (perhaps such as computer science) to students or employees. As another example, web based online elearning tools might be the best choice for long courses that people with full time jobs might want to try out.
Thus, the word elearning itself really has quite a number of many possible meanings for those who are not that familiar with the industry. And perhaps, even within the industry itself, the competing definitions of different people (all claiming to be experts in the field) are still apparent. What this just means is that the tools, mediums, and modes that elearning can take form in is so diverse that literally no two experts completely agree with anything anymore. The differences in usage and in the medium must really be that different from each other that really make the experts want to disagree about this subject.
Elearning solutions encompass a lot of techniques and modes. Some companies use it when training their employees or spreading out a short lecture. Universities use it in specific courses for programs where the students will most likely not see each other face to face since the whole study course happens online. Lectures are probably emailed and class discussions are done in forums.
Truly e-learning solutions have become the preferred mode of teaching and learning by so many. The addition of technology simply opens up so many barriers and lets in so many possibilities. Not only is it more convenient for a lot of people. It is also much cheaper than tradition teaching or classroom instruction methods. Not only that, some studies purport that it increases the learning capacity of students. This might just be ushering in the future of pedagogy.