{Northcentral University}
EL 7001-1
Concepts of E-Learning
E-Learning Concepts
E-learning defined
It is suggested that the term e-learning came into use in the mid-1990s along with developments in the World Wide Web and interest and asynchronous discussion groups {Garrison:2011wn}. A simple straight foreword definition of e-learning is elusive, but {Horton:2011vy} offers, “E-learning is the use of information and computer technologies to create learning experiences.”
There are many varieties of e-learning. Stand-alone courses are courses taken by a lone learner as opposed to a group, cohort or class. These courses are often self-paced without interaction with an instructor or classmates.{Horton:2011vy}
Virtual classroom courses are structured much like a brick-and-mortar classroom course. They may include synchronous online meetings, chat rooms, electronic whiteboards to emulate the typical classroom environment.{Horton:2011vy}
Games and simulations are another variety of e-learning that involves learning by performing simulated activities that may require exploration of a knowledgebase{Horton:2011vy}. Embedded e-learning, blended learning, and mobile learning are additional e-learning modalities{Horton:2011vy}.
Horton (2011) lists e-learning based on knowledge management as another variety of e-learning that depends on online documents, databases, and media to educate entire populations and organizations rather than single individuals.
The goal of e-learning described by (Garrison, 2011) is to create a community of inquiry independent of time and location through the use of information and communications technology (ICT). According to Garrison (2011), an educational community of inquiry is “a group of individuals who collaboratively engage in a purposeful critical discourse and reflection to construct personal meaning and confirm mutual understanding.” Garrison (2011) subscribes to a collaborative constructionist...