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Keywords
Learning, Technology, Information technology, Internet, Integration, Implementation
Abstract
Defines e-learning as the appropriate application of the Internet to support the delivery of learning, skills and knowledge in a holistic approach not limited to any particular courses, technologies, or infrastructures. It considers e-learning core products of content, technology, and services. The emphasis is upon the importance of integrated learning paths that vary according to the student, the subject material, the level of competence, and corporate or student preferences. Successful implementation of e-learning requires the same management commitment as other mission-critical organisation-wide initiatives. Most of all e-learning needs to be compelling to the audience it targets, offering the learner a resource that is seen as appealing, valuable and productive to their goals and aspirations.
E-learning evolves
As recently as 18 months ago, there was really no such thing as "e-learning". People talked of "online learning", "computer based training" and even "Web" or "Internet" based training, but the term "e-learning" had not really been invented. Yet a short time later there are literally thousands of companies in the e-learning business. Until the recent and ubiquitous devastation in the world's hightech stock markets, the investment banking community were literally giddy with excitement about the potential for e-learning "plays" and one leading industry figure has even described e-learning as the next "killer application" for the Internet - one whose potential will make e-mail look "like a rounding error" according to John Chambers, chief executive officer of Cisco Systems.
Corporate and campus agendas too, have started to recognise e-learning as having the power to really transform the people, performance, knowledge and skills landscape, so much so that International Data Corporation estimate that the corporate spend alone on e-learning will increase from $lbn in 1999 to over $1 lbn in 2003. But with all of this attention, the rush on the part of vendors to position themselves prominently in this new "gold-rush" and a market that is at worst curious, at best anxious to play, comes much confusion and a great deal of inconsistency. Very legitimately one can stop and ask so just what, exactly, is e-learning?
E-learning application
It is tempting to rush in with the standard "industry" or "vendor" centric thing and position the industry...