Gabriel’s E-Learning

Activity 1.1 – Defining E-Learning

August 18, 2007

The original definition, which I wrote in class was:

An interactive training course or learning activity that is run online (so it can be accessed from anywhere). The activity is completed in the learners own time and pace by the end of which the learner would accomplish the intended objectives.

I find the definitions of Brandon Hall (year unknown) and the ‘Australian Institute of Training and Development’ (June 2001) lacking, as they only relate to the medium which delivers E-learning (e.g. Internet or Intranet). A definition of E-learning should include what makes it a suitable choice for certain situations in learning and how it differs from normal instruction, which goes beyond just a different medium.

While reading the articles provided with the activity, it became clear that there is a rift in the way E-learning is defined. E-learn Magazine (Tsai & Machado, 2006) agrees with Brandon Hall and the ASTD regarding the fact that E-learning is all about the medium used, although it does separate the different uses and contexts that the medium provides. However, Ping-Lim (2003) dismisses what she calls the ‘myths about E-learning’ and agrees with the argument that changing the medium only does not contribute anything new to the training and may actually be disadvantageous since one may not account for the weaknesses of the new medium. It is therefore important to account for the context, the intended objectives and how the strengths and weaknesses of the medium effect the delivery.

Those insights have caused me to adjust my own definition:

E-learning is an interactive course or activity which facilitate learning in an online environment (accessed anywhere) in a way that is consistent with the intended objectives and accounts for the strengths and weaknesses of the medium.

References:

Ping Lim C. 2003, What Isn’t E-learning, Techknowlogia, viewed 18 August 2007, <http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?FileType=HTML&ArticleID=267>

Tsai S. & Machado P. 2007, E-learning, Online Learning, Web-based Learning, or Distance Learning:
Unveiling the Ambiguity in Current Terminology, Elearn Magazine, viewed 18 August 2007, <http://elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&article=6-1> document.title += ‘ – E-learning, Online Learning, Web-based Learning, or Distance Learning’;

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