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Current Issues and Trends in E-learning

This section highlights major e-learning issues - standards, S.C.O.R.M.,current strategy and current trends. E-learning is also spelt elearning or eLearning.

Standards

Specifications/Standards - a detailed look at issues surrounding the development of e-learning standards. (This opens a new page - please close it to return to this point).

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) - a detailed look at one set of SCORM standards, set by the United States government for developing, packaging and delivering e-learning. (This opens a new page - please close it to return to this point).

SCORM 1.2 Resource Kit from Click2learn.com - a free resource kit explaining SCORM. (This opens a new page - please close it to return to this point).

Current Status of E-learning

Brandon Hall, in a recent newsletter (dated 16 September 2003) summarised recent trends in self-paced e-learning design as including:

"In this challenging economy, organizations are cutting back on some of the more costly components of e-learning, including rich media. When rich media are used, however, most implementations are highly professional and supportive of learning.

There appears to be an emerging feeling that more can be done with less, that excellent design and a sharp focus on real performance problems are what it's all about.

Simulation is increasingly seen as the instructional design of choice for asynchronous online learning. There are more and more proven tools and templates available now to create simulations, as well as experienced service providers to help out; so this challenging class of e-learning is becoming more manageable, even without a high-end budget.

The use of story and narrative to support simulation and other types of e-learning is taking hold. Some designers are becoming masters in the use of story to engage learners and promote challenging educational goals.

Uses of online human agents are varied and creative. The result is e-learning which personalizes sometimes dry technical content and maintains learner motivation.

The previous focus on IT e-learning shows signs of lessening. World-class designers are now using online learning in remarkable ways to meet tough learning challenges in an ever-widening range of human skill areas.

Award-winning e-learning is increasingly being developed for innovative organizations in the nonprofit sector, an "industry" in which e-learning has terrific potential."

Other current resources include:

Current E-learning Trends - September 2003 (PDF) - a current assessment of e-learning. (This opens a new page - please close it to return to this point).

E-learning Strategies in 2003 - an assessment of past, current and future strategies to e-learning. (This opens a new page - please close it to return to this point).

What's next?

This page is part of a comprehensive e-journey about e-learning. To go to the program contents, select: Course Overview - E-learning.

The next section is: E-learning in Australia.

To return to the Derek Stockley Home Page: Derek Stockley Home Page.

Other e-learning products can be found at: Derek Stockley - E-learning.

This page was updated on 4 April 2005.