E-learning

Definition

• As opposed to the computer-based training of the 1980s, the term e-learning is most frequently used to refer to computer-based training which incorporates technologies that support interactivity beyond that which would be provided by a single computer. (Wikipedia:E-learning)

• In our view there are 3 kinds of definition, E-Learning can refer to:
  1. A conceptually simple form of content-based computer-based training (and that shows in "e-instruction standards" like SCORM) plus the addition of some e-tutoring components.
  2. Distance education or similar forms of formal open learning making use of technology.
  3. Any form of pedagogical model that makes use of information and communication technology.
• There is no commonly accepted definition of e-learning ...

History

See also: educational technology (e-learning is just a subset of various learning technologies).

• If one looks at modern content oriented main-stream e-Learning one can not avoid thinking that e-learning has been invented in the early sixties, probably PLATO in 1963.

• The inventor of the word "e-learning" probably was "Jay Cross" in 1998.

• In the mid-nineties, so called learning management systems came into existence. WEST (later renamed to TopClass) was probably the first well known system.

• In the early 2000, SCORM and IMS data standards became popular. In particular the IEEE Learning Object Metadata Standard (LOM), IMS Content Packaging (and associated IMS Simple Sequencing) became sort of industry standards and also have been adopted by some decision makers and funding agencies in academia.

• In the mid 2000s, instructional design seems to be back. This shows in standards like IMS Learning Design or numerous publications on e-learning that focus on serious instructional design methods and instructional design models.

• At the same time, in academina, content-orient LMS have lost a lot of ground against LMS systems like Moodle, Groupware, weblogs, C3MS that favor more activity-based (e.g. socio-constructivist, situated pedagogies.

Typologies

See also the article on educational technology that introduces other, more general typologies.

Schulmeister's type A and B

Schulmeister (2005) makes a distinction between:

1. e-learning type A based on "manageable" contents that can easily made explicit via standardized learning objects and individual self-learning .
2. e-learning type B focusing on a high percentage of complex contents based on implicit knowledge and that has to acquired through learning community of practice communities.

In terms of interactivity one also could talk about "internal" (type A) and external person-to-person interactivity (type B). However, from a learning psychology point of view, most of type A e-learning is not really interactive (selecting contents and answering quizzes is a rather low form of interactivity).

Schulmeister's e-learning types A and B (from Schulmeister 2003, text in blue by DSchneider)

More generally Schulmeister (2005:486) makes a distinction between 6 didactic descriptors:

1. E-learning type (see above)
2. Pedagogical scenario
3. Learning model, see learning theory
4. Learning environment and learning unit
5. Learning object
6. Interactivity of learning objects

Euler and Seufert's e-galaxy

Euler (2004) presents a conceptual framework with building blocks for "e-learning supported learning environments".

under construction, see [[e-moderation], e-tutoring, e-instruction, e-coaching, e-instruction. We also should add newer additions like u-learning, m-learning, i-learning.

Source: Euler, D., Seufert, S. & Wilbers, K. (2004) [1]

Debates

What can we do with e-learning ?

While e-learning is fairly well accepted in areas where CBT survived well, i.e. low-level training in industry and the military, the value of e-instruction-oriented models are hotly debated. It is interesting to notice that strongest criticism comes from the instructional design community and not from constructivist practitioners and theorists who simply tend to ignore this form of educational technology.

E.g. see Merrill (in press) - who as typical "main-stream" instructional designer always loudly claimed that "Information is not Instruction" - makes it a program to ... "avoid enervative, endless, or empty e₃-learning (pronounced 3 sub-three learning) and to replace it with effective, efficient, and engaging e³- learning (pronounced e to the third power learning)".

In any case, one must avoid confusion between (a) the rather restricted design ideas that are implicitly conveyed by learning management systems and by many e-learning manuals and text-books and (b) the full richness of available pedagogic strategies, instructional design models, educational technologies, etc.

Change management

Debates around e-learning (as well as any sort of educational technology often refer to pedagogical innovation issues and change management. Firstly to explain "why certain things don't happen as they should" and second in order to have models "to make things happen".

Standards and methods

Pedagogical data standards

• IMS Simple Sequencing favoring a mastery learning design.
• IMS Learning Design favoring activity-based designs.

Meta-Data and packaging standards

• IMS Content Packaging defines how to package a content for distribution.
• Learning Object Metadata Standard (LOM, which is now a IEEE standard) allows to describe a pedagogical on-line resources with metadata.

System's standards

• SCORM publishes series of "standards" that are recommendation on what an LMS must be able to do. Current versions are usually based on IMS data and packaging standards.
• IMS General Web Services to allow for interoperability of various systems. E.g. in some future you may be able to play a content hosted a learning management system within some more creative platform (like this Wiki).

See also: Learning management system

Design methodology

• Typical e-learning projects use some sort of instructional systems design (for a broader view, see all design methodologies.

Major players

• IMS
• SCORM
• IEEE

References

• Euler, D., Seufert, S. & Wilbers, K. eLearning in der Berufsbildung [PDF, 126 KB]. In Arnold, R. & Lipsmeier, A. (Hrsg.): Handbuch der Berufsbildung. 2004 (in Druck). A preprint is available

• Euler, D. Didaktische Gestaltung von E-learning-unterstützten Lernumgebungen (2004), in Euler, D. & Seufert, S. (Hrsg.) E-Learning in Hochschulen und Bildungszentren. München: Oldenbourg, 223-242.

• Merrill, M.D. (in press) E-Learning: Lessons Learned, Challenges Ahead (Voices from Academe and Industry). S. Carliner and P. Shank, Pfeiffer/Jossey-Bass. Preprint: http://cito.byuh.edu/merrill/text/papers/e3%20learning.pdf

• Driscoll, M., Carliner, S. Advanced Web-Based Training : Adapting Real World Strategies in Your Online Learning, Pfeiffer. ISBN 0787969796

• Schulmeister, Rolf (2003), Modellversuch Lehrqualifikation für Wissenschaft und Weiterbildung, Abschlussbericht, Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Hochschuldidaktik, Universität Hamburg. [2]

• Schulmeister, Rolf (2003b), Lernplattformen für das virtuelle Lernen. München:Oldenbourg

• Schulmeister, R. (2005). Kriterien didaktischer Qualität im E-Learning zur Sicherung der Akzeptanz und Nachhaltigkeit. In D. Euler & S. Seufert (Hrsg.), E-Learning in Hochschulen und Bildungszentren, München: Oldenbourg, p. 487.