e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

1.2. What Is e-Learning?

We define e-learning as 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 skills linked to individual learning goals or to improved organizational performance

As you can see, this definition has several elements concerning the what, how, and why of e-learning.

What. e-Learning courses include both content (that is, information) ...