Unit 5.1.1 - Introduction to e-Learning

The concept of Internet-based learning is broader than Web-based learning. Hence, the Web is only one of the Internet services that use Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), browsers, and URL. Internet offers many other services, not only Web, but also e-mail, file transfer facilities, etc. Learning could be based on the web, but also as correspondence via e-mail. Online learning could be organized through any network. Thus, Internet-based learning is only a subset of online learning. Learning may take place via any electronic medium. It is not automatically connected to a network learning that includes computer-based learning that is not network-based. As a result, e-Learning includes both network-based (online learning, Internet-based learning, and web-based learning) and non-network-based learning or computer-based learning.

E-Learning may also be defined as the acquisition and use of knowledge distributed and facilitated primarily by electronic means. This form of learning depends on networks and computers but may involve CD-ROMs, software, other media, and telecommunications. E-Learning can take the form of courses as well as modules and smaller learning objects. E-Learning may incorporate synchronous or asynchronous access and may be distributed geographically with varied limits of time. For further reading, please refer to below links.

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