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ICT in Education
Learning Approaches
What is E-Learning?

What is E-Learning?

📝 Cheat Sheet
E-learning (electronic learning) uses electronic and digital technology to deliver learning. It can be online or offline.
💻

E-learning uses digital technology, such as computers, phones, tablets, and the internet, to teach and learn. It gives learners materials, activities, feedback, and tests.

It can be online, through tools like Google Classroom or Zoom, or offline, through learning software and recorded lessons that work without the internet.

Many people think e-learning is always online. It is not.

Online and Offline E-Learning

Online e-learning needs the internet. A live class on Zoom or a course on Coursera are online.

Offline e-learning works without the internet. A learning app on a tablet or a recorded lesson played on a computer are offline.

Both use digital tools. The only difference is whether the internet is needed at the moment of learning.

The tree below shows the split: e-learning divides into an online form and an offline form.

    flowchart TD
    EL["<b>E-Learning</b><br/>any digital learning,<br/>online or offline"]
    ON["<b>&nbsp;Online&nbsp;E-Learning&nbsp;</b><br/>needs the internet<br/>Zoom, Coursera"]
    OFF["<b>Offline&nbsp;E-Learning</b><br/>no internet needed<br/>apps, recordings"]
    EL --> ON
    EL --> OFF
    style EL fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a,stroke-width:2px,color:#14532d
    style ON fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#2563eb,stroke-width:2px,color:#1e3a8a
    style OFF fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,stroke-width:2px,color:#78350f
❓ Pop Quiz
A learner studies from a recorded lesson on a computer with no internet. Is this still e-learning?
Flashcard
Can e-learning happen without the internet?
Tap to reveal
Answer

Yes. E-learning can be online or offline.

Online e-learning needs the internet, like a Zoom class.

Offline e-learning works without it, like a learning app or a recorded lesson on a computer.

Both use digital tools to support learning.

Examples of E-Learning

E-learning takes many forms. Some common examples are:

  • Online classes through Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams
  • Learning platforms such as Moodle, Google Classroom, or Canvas
  • Educational videos and recorded lectures
  • Online quizzes and tests, such as Google Forms or Kahoot
  • Learning apps such as Duolingo or Khan Academy
  • E-books, digital notes, and computer-based practice software

Some of these need the internet, and some do not. A Zoom class is online. A practice app that runs on a tablet with no signal is offline. Both count as e-learning.

❓ Pop Quiz
Which sentence best describes e-learning?
Flashcard
Name one online and one offline example of e-learning.
Tap to reveal
Answer

Online: a live class on Zoom or a course on Coursera.

Offline: a learning app on a tablet or a recorded lesson on a computer.

The online example needs the internet. The offline one does not. Both deliver learning through digital tools.

❓ Pop Quiz
A teacher shares a recorded video lesson that students download once and watch later without internet. What is this?

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Read in 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇸🇬 Singapore
Last updated on • Talha
Learning ApproachesBenefits of E-Learning