E-learning is seeing a significant rise in terms of use in initial or continuing education. At first glance, it seems necessary for the authors to take an interest in the different definitions proposed for this term, although this does not necessarily lead to a consensus in the existing literature. E-learning addressed by this chapter will answer the frequently asked question, “What is e-learning?” This chapter is also intended to provide an overview of current standardization efforts that ensure the transferability of educational resources and the interoperability of virtual training environments. Hence, to highlight the issues and concerns relating to e-learning standards and requirements, the authors present the different standardization approaches adopted at the economic, technical, and educational levels. E-learning from a pedagogical point of view is included in the last part of this chapter.
TopIntroduction
The Internet is a vital technology of the 21st century. Its form, function, and use evolve with time, and these changes affect our educational, industrial, commercial, and social practices.
Web 1.0, also called the traditional web, is a static web, it is focused on the distribution of information and is characterized by product-oriented sites that require little user intervention. The first e-commerce sites date from this era, the cost of proprietary programs and software is huge and the explosion of the Internet bubble in 2000 challenged this approach.
Web 2.0 or the social web completely changes perspectives, it privileges the dimension of sharing and exchange of information and content. This web 2.0 sees the emergence of social networks, smartphones, and blogs, the web is becoming more democratic and dynamic. The life of the consumer is constantly solicited, the consumer takes a link to this virtual socialization every time.
Web 3.0, also called the semantic web, aims to organize the mass of available information according to the context and the need of each user considering his preferences. It is a web that tries to give meaning to data, it is also a more portable web that puts more and more the link between the real world and the virtual world, it meets the needs of the mobile user always connected with a multitude of smart media and applications.
Web 4.0 evoked as the smart web, aims to bring the individual into an increasingly meaningful environment, and it pushes the way of personalization opened by web 3.0.
According to technological developments, the educational system and teaching practices are always updated. At the end of the 20th century, the e-learning system was a means of learning with the help of the internet and multimedia. the evolution of e-learning can be traced back to the evolution of the internet environment, its design, structure, and content.
Nowadays e-Learning covers a very wide field of concepts and tools: LMS platforms, mobile learning, dedicated modules, blended learning, fast learning, serious gaming, scrolling telling, webinars, storytelling, interactive video, Nano-learning, etc... In this context of the proliferation of e-learning, standardization bodies are constantly working to develop and finalize quality standards that should be respected by the institutions concerned about e-learning.
The implementation of an online training/learning system requires a set of Material, technical, human, and pedagogical resources that must be synergized to be able to provide education to distance learners. To achieve this goal, it is important to control all the requirements related to the device to get the most out of it.