electronic learning

Online training delivered to personal computers over the Internet, with the advantage that classes can be taken at any time and in any place, so that students are able to learn at their own pace. E-learning includes multimedia, search engines, electronic libraries, content portals, distance learning, and Web-enabled classrooms.

Although e-learning is not an attempt to replace classroom teaching, it has had a major effect on it, and teachers increasingly need to be properly trained to use technology in the classroom. In addition, broadband Internet access is required to make full use of rich audio-visual training content.

In July 2002, the US government launched the Gov Online Learning Center to provide training over the Internet for Federal employees to help them improve their performance. In addition to an initial selection of 35 courses, over 50 electronic books are available at the Learning Center Web site.