History Of E-learning

E-learning fundamentally involves computer-enabled transfer of knowledge and skills. So when we talk of e-learning, we are referring to computer/ web based learning, digital collaboration and virtual classroom opportunities. Such a type of virtual program can either be instructor-led or self-paced but it involves media usage in the form of animation, text, image, audio and streaming video.

The concept of online education is not as recent a phenomenon as most people think. It would come as a sheer surprise for some of you to know that the first type of virtual schools sprang up in early 1960s. Certainly, it was not the kind of e-learning we have today but it did involve use of computer networks for educational purposes. Slowly, as everyone started to realize the immense potential of computer networking for educational purposes, the concept of e-learning spread and grew manifold. The form of e-learning that we see today is just a revised version of this virtual development that took place in the 1960s.

As this initial form of e-learning spread wings, more and more colleges and universities thought of taking advantage of this novel development. As a result, the trend of e-learning became quite popular with the masses by the middle of 1980s. Now, what these colleges offered was a well-thought mixture of online as well as offline courses. Only online courses became popular towards the end of 1980s. Such virtual programs did not receive quick breakthrough success but gradually people understood the upsides of a pure online program. One element that contributed the most towards the success of virtual programs was the concept of correspondence schools. The conventional correspondence schools functioned in an absolutely straightforward manner where study material was sent to the learners via post. As the digital wave swept across the world, correspondence schools wake up to make the most of this concept called e-learning. The first accredited online correspondence college was opened for admissions in the year 1993. After this, there was no looking back. Online courses began enjoying unprecedented support and access.

Within no time, many online schools and colleges mushroomed up to cater to the needs of e-learners. Acknowledging a favorable response from the masses, these universities expanded their line of degree courses. Today, it is practically possible to earn an online degree in any stream of your choice. Engineering, healthcare, management, fashion designing - whatever may be your area of choice, online schools can help you with a tailored online program of your choice.

Quite a recent development in the field of e-learning is inclusion of social networking. These networking platforms foster virtual learning communities that revolve around subjects as varied as language education and test preparation. This element of social networking in the area of e-learning is yet in its stages of infancy because there are still some correspondence schools that do not make use of this technology. Probably the networking factor catches the fancy of many more virtual schools. Nothing can, as such, be said about the future of e-learning but whatever it is, it's bright!