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The ever increasing presence of Internet, rapid advancements
in ICT and recent developments in learning technology have
resulted in the transition of technology-supported distance
education from e-learning to mobile learning. The advent
and popularization of ubiquitous computing and mobile devices
have redefined the concept of e-learning by providing learners
with a variety of options of interacting with e-learning
systems. This paper discusses e-learning activities and
outlines technological research challenges that need to
be addressed for the successful development of e-learning
facilities capable of meeting the needs of users.
The ubiquitous presence of Internet, rapid advancements
in ICT and recent developments in learning technology have
resulted in the transition of technology-supported distance
education from e-learning to mobile learning. The availability,
in terms of numbers, of technically skilled human resources
failed to match the fast boom in the technology development,
and this gave rise to a situation where people started using
technology in e-learning programs without judiciously evaluating
its relevance. However, an interesting factor of this development
has been the employment of a less-than-appropriate technology,
which caused sustainability failure of many e-learning programs.
The selection of appropriate technology, and blending it
properly with the components of e-learning systems ensures
quality, effectiveness and rigor of e-learning programs.
The following deals with various aspects of e-learning systems.
The traditional context of learning has radically changed
now. People change careers and relocate several times throughout
their lives. The concept of traditional education does not
fit well with the new world of lifelong learning, in which
the roles of instructor, students and curriculum are changing
(Zhang and Nunamaker, 2003). Teaching and learning are no
longer restricted within traditional classrooms (Marold
et al., 2000). Instead, learning methods need to become
more portable and flexible. e-learning has been crucial
to meet this new challenge.
E-Learning refers to learning situations where instructional
content is delivered electronically via the Internet (Zhang
and Nunamaker, 2003). Broadly speaking, "if someone
is learning in a way that uses Information and Communications
Technologies (ICTs), they are using e-learning" (DfES,
2003). The concept of e-learning has emerged from distance
learning and offers new methods for distance education based
on ICTs. One of its more recent forms is mobile learning,
which differs in the type of devices and services used but
is essentially e-learning. E-learning is the modern form
of distance education supported and driven by ICT and is
characterized by anywhere anytime learning. It is meant
to cater diverse and geographically distributed communities
of learners and enables them to access this technology-enhanced
learning 24x7 basis. To make use of full potential of this
form of learning, it is necessary for both learners as well
as instructors to be well aware of the related existing
technologies. The following section analyzes various categories
of users based on their technological expertise.
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