What is E-learning? E-learning
of what E-learning is, the writer presents general meaning of E-learning, the implementation of E-learning in Indonesia, and E-learning through web.
2.4.1 What is E-learning?
E-learning is a means of education that incorporates self-motivation, communication, efficiency, and technology. Students are the key entity and the nucleus of the
education Berman et al, 1991:96. Hall 1997 as quoted by Clarey 2007:11 gives more description about E-learning:
E-learning is instruction that is delivered electronically, in part or wholly
– via a Web browser, through the Internet or an intranet, or through multimedia platforms such as CD-ROM or DVD .
Meanwhile, Clark and Mayer 2003:10 define E-learning as instruction delivered on a computer by way of CD-ROM, Internet, or intranet with the following
features: 1
Includes content relevant to the learning objective. 2
Uses instructional methods such as examples and practice to help learning. 3
Uses media elements such as words and pictures to deliver the content and methods.
4 May be instructor-led synchronous E-learning or designed for individual study
asynchronous E-learning. 5
Builds new knowledge and skills linked to individual learning goals or to improved organizational performance.
From some definitions above, the writer concludes that E-learning is not only referring to distance learning by using the internet. E-learning means utilizing
information and communications technology in teaching and learning activities. Content is delivered via the internet, intranet, extranet, satellite TV, and CD-ROM
with multimedia capabilities. There are many terms to show the ideas about E-learning, for example:
standalone course, virtual classroom, blended learning, embedded learning and mobile learning Horton, 2006:2. The design of E-learning depends on the purpose
and the condition of the schools, the teachers and the students. Therefore teachers should be able to choose what kinds and types of E-learning appropriate for his
teaching control. Rosen 2009:60 states that there are two main types of E-learning. Those
two types are as follows: 1
Synchronous training. The students and teachers meet at the same time for an instructor-led session. The
meeting can be done through video conference and chat so that the teacher and the students are able to do direct communication.
2 Asynchronous training.
In asynchronous training the material are available to be accessed by the students through the web anytime they want. Therefore, there is no live meeting between
the teacher and the students. Rosen 2009:60 affirms that synchronous E-
learning tends to be more effective because there is a live meeting and communication directly between the teacher and the students.