What’s In A Name? Defining e-learning

e-learning defiinitions
There are numerous definitions of e-learning.  Some focus on how the learning is accessed and some on the media used to create it. Some are straightforward and concise like that of the oxford English dictionary and some are detailed like Clark and Mayers example. My personal favourite tops the list but other than that they are in no particular order. 

e-learning is…..

“The use of information and computer technologies to create learning experiences. ”
William Horton

“…essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge…” 
Wikipedia

“…The delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic means. E-learning involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) in some way to provide training, educational or learning material.”
Derek Stockley

“…Education, especially for adults that it conducted by means of the internet.”
Oxford English dictionary

“…Learning that is delivered, enabled or mediated using electronic technology for the explicit purpose of training in organisations” 
CIPD

“…the use of internet technologies to deliver a broad array of solutions that enhance knowledge and performance.”
Marc Rosenberg

“…the use of network technology to design, deliver, select, administer, and extend learning.”
Elliot Maisie

“… the delivery of learning with the assistance of interactive, electronic technology, whether offline or online.”
Institute of IT Training

“…the term covering a wide set of applications and processes, such as Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, CD-ROM, and more. ”
ASTD

“…Instruction delivered on a computer by way of CD ROM, Internet or Intranet with the following features:
• Includes content relevant to the learning objective
• Uses instructional methods such as examples and practice to help learning
• Uses media elements such as words and pictures to deliver the content and methods
• May be instructor led (synchronous e-learning) or designed for self paced individual study (asynchronous e-learning)
• Builds new knowledge and sills linked to individual learning goals or to improved organisational performance.”
Ruth Colvin Clark and Richard E. Mayer

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