Abstract
E-learning as a term and its application in the support of learning has evolved considerably over the last ten or more years. This evolution comes from a noticeably different approach to learning by early adopters, as dictated by the technology of the time.In order to bring the reader up to date with the role and use of e-learning and its associated technologies this article will review the meaning of e-learning as it evolved from little more than reading electronic books to today's concept of 'anytime anywhere' learning supported by the Web. It will attempt to clarify some of the confusing terminology surrounding e-learning and provide a basic introduction to some types of technology used to support learning. In addition some examples of the use of e-learning within the physical sciences will also be reviewed along with some pointers to current publications and national initiatives for up to date information about how e-learning is being used in higher education.
Highlights
What is e-learning? The rapid expansion in the development of computer technology in the 1980s and 1990s and the associated reduction in costs made it possible for computer supported teaching to enter mainstream education
In 1989, the World Wide Web was invented by the physicist Tim Berners-Lee but it was not until about 1993-95 that it matured enough as a technology to be integrated into conventional education
An attendee at a recent workshop on e-learning commented: “[sic] Understanding that I had been using blended learning for years without knowing it!” Blended learning is a term that is becoming increasingly used in conjunction with e-learning and refers to the notion that you combine, or blend e-learning with face-to-face learning
Summary
What is e-learning? The rapid expansion in the development of computer technology in the 1980s and 1990s and the associated reduction in costs made it possible for computer supported teaching to enter mainstream education. These actively engage with formal research into the development of e-learning to support physics teaching. Another example of the use of e-learning, this time to support chemistry teaching is the development of an online module produced at Manchester Metropolitan University.
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