E-learning is the term used to describe the use of a range of technologies as a supplement or alternative to traditional classroom training. These include self-paced learning, virtual classrooms, e-mail, discussion boards, online reference material and various multimedia presentations.
E-learning has sparked excitement among learning professionals as it is potentially flexible enough to tailor learning to the needs of the individual in a way classroom teaching cannot. Adult learning theory has shown that different people have different learning styles. For example, some prefer to learn in a social context and others prefer learning individually. The pace at which people read and the salience of course materials for individuals varies. Most adults prefer to learn rather than to be taught and most adults have a short attention span. In theory, online training can accommodate the differences.
