Differences between e-Learning and e-Teaching

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Differences between e-Learning and e-Teaching

Introduction        

Education through the use of computers and information systems has had a long history in education.  However, there is a big difference between the earlier and current forms of online learning, as the earlier type, called Computer Based Instruction or Training (CBI or CBT), focused on the interaction between the student and computer drills, tutorials or simulations (Zwass, 1998(. Today, the prevailing paradigm is Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), where the primary form of interaction is between students and instructors, mediated by the computer. CBI is usually individualized (self-study) learning, while CMC involves teacher/tutor facilitation. In this book, when we refer to online learning, we are always talking about CMC, not CBI (Kearsley, 2003).   E-learning and e-teaching have rapidly developed over the year.  The scope of this paper is to identify the differences between them.  On their very core, these two issues share a single key similarity; online education involves the use of computer networks for learning and teaching (Kearsley, 2003). Obviously, such a practice entails the possible use of large-scale public networks such as the internet or small local area networks (LANs) in a specific building (Leontios and Gavana, 2003). The latter may be the basis for an electronic classroom or a campus/school computing system. In most institutions and organizations, LANs are connected to public networks, making the distinction transparent to individual users.

Kearsley, in his article Online Education:  New Paradigms for Learning and Teaching, states that “At schools and colleges across the country and around the world, the use of the Internet and Web for learning and teaching is causing a major change in the landscape of education” (p. 1). In summary, building upon decades of computer networking activities the Internet has produced phenomenal growth in the extent and scope of online education. Online education has created a new paradigm for teaching and learning different from the traditional classroom experience, and also different from earlier attempts at computer-based instruction.

In order to view the differences between two of the current forms of IT in education, namely e-learning and e-teaching, there is a need to establish their basic functions and premises in order to proceed to a comparison and evaluation.  

Definition of E-learning and its Advantages

E-Learning, also referred to as Web-based training, is defined as anywhere, anytime, self-paced instruction that is presented over the Internet to web-browser equipped learners (Kossen, 2002). The current selection of e-learning courseware today spans the spectrum from desktop applications to technical certification to meet the needs of today's life-long learners.

According to a web site dedicated to e-learning () the basic advantages of e-learning systems can be defined as:

  • Cost Effective — Up to a 20-50% savings compared to traditional instructor led, facility-based training
  • Self-Paced — Employees learn at their own speed and rate of comprehension.
  • Learner Controlled — Learning can take place at the employee’s desk or even at home.
  • Just-in-Time — Employees can access product information closer to the time the knowledge is needed rather than obtaining information that may never be used.
  • Interactivity — The e-learning environment stimulates new interest in the training process.
  • Content Updated Rapidly — Content can be updated and changed in real-time. Increasing the rate at which new knowledge is acquired is a competitive advantage.
  • Customizable Content — Content can be modified to deal with what employees genuinely need to know.
  • Uniform Content — Training is consistently delivered to all employees, reducing the possibility that important information will be misinterpreted

(, 2004).

The Basics of E-learning

First, e-learning will be examined in brief.  Most people would benefit from further education, both from a personal as well as an occupational point of view.  The need for additional knowledge and education is eminent on several professionals who need to gain this additional knowledge in order to advance in their careers.  However, in order to obtain this knowledge – and perhaps and additional or a higher degree – many people would be forced to quit their jobs and spend a large amount of funds in order to pursue such education. Most people are not willing to quit their jobs in order to enhance their academics through customary studies.  Long-distance learning and e-learning, which are used synonymously in the modern era, can provide such people with an alternative.  

Moreover, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum recognizes that education is an increasing key contributor to the economic and social well-being of the most economies on a global basis (Asian Pacific E-learning Alliance Report, 2003).  According to this esteemed forum it is vital “to develop a society and culture that place a high value on education and training [which can be enhanced by]…providing comprehensive, high-quality education and training skills development programs including basic education and distance learning.” (APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration, 21/10/2001).  In addition, according to research performed by LearnFrame (2000), the size of the e-Learning market was expected to grow substantially due to a single factor; the growth of Internet use, as the expected growth of Internet users is estimated to reach 345.6 million by year 2003 compared to the 147.4 million users of today (p. 3).  Moreover, several interesting facts and figures are revealed, regarding e-learning (, 2003).  First, the e-learning industry is still booming and is expected to grow from $6.3 billion in 2001 to more than $23 billion in 2004 (International Data Corporation, 2003). Second, the majority of all colleges 64 percent) now have Internet access in classroom, an increase of 22 percent from 1998 figures (Market Data Retrieval, 2003).   Third, by 2004,corporations will be spending some $33.6 billion annually with employee training vendors-and a growing portion of that will be on Internet-based e-learning (International Data Corporation, 2003).  Fourth, in 2003, traditional classroom training will represent less than 30 percent of all formal corporate training programs (GartnerGroup, 2003). Finally, according to a 2001 ACE poll, the public knows very little about distance learning and is skeptical about the level of quality (American Council on Education, 2003).

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Definition of E-Teaching and its Advantages

E-teaching on the other hand, is the means to deliver the material to the student.  It is the actual teaching to the students of e-learning programs.  The two complement each other, either of which could not exist without the other.  The most important role of the instructor in online classes is to ensure that there is a high degree of interactivity and participation. This means designing and conducting learning activities that result in engagement with the subject matter and fellow students. As discussed in the previous chapter, coursework should focus on assignments and projects that ...

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