e-Learning Foundations

Understanding the Foundations of e-Learning is Important for Successful Participation

What are e-learning foundations? Before proceeding with electronic learning (e-learning), either as a learner, developer, or educator, one should ask the following pertinent questions: What is the theoretical basis for designing and developing content? What role do learning theories such as behaviorism, cognitivsm, or constructivism play in the development process? What instructional design models best fit the development process? What role does information and communication technology (ICT) play? First addressing these issues is important to addressing learning needs of the students in an online learning environment or virtual learning environment.

In response to these questions that are important to e-learning and online distance education, the following information is presented:

1. Definition and history of instructional design and technology
2. Advantages and disadvantages of e-learning
3. Learning theories and models
4. Learner types and learning styles
5. Learning Objectives
6. Glossary

Interested in earning a degree in this area? There are some online masters and doctoral programs that offer coursework that leads to a career in e-learning. You may request information from the universities below or you can locate education degree programs in your area.

Selected Universities with Online Instructional Design Degree Programs

• Walden University
• Capella University - Online
• Ashford University
• Jones International University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Strayer University

Learning theories, which include behaviorism cognitive, and constructivism, are the psychological foundation of instructional design and technology (ID&T). Within this spectrum, certain principles guide learning: Learning as an active process; Metacognition and the personal construction of knowledge; Learning as a contextual process; Learning as a social activity; and Relevance of motivation in the learning process. Many of these topics would be covered in an education degree program.

The goal of instruction is to develop independent self-directed learning environments that utilize a range of cognitive and technological structures in order to transfer learning to new contexts. Learning depends on ICT's which include computers, the Internet and mobile technologies. Whether you are a learner or an educator, it is important to prepare for this environment, whether it is an online or face-to-face instructional setting. There are various skills sets based on e-learning foundations and knowledge that directly relate to this teaching and learning environment or seeking a career in e-learning. This requires one to have good e-learning foundations.