Our definition for e-learning

The main result of the research project "The e-learning conceptual framework" was the creation of an inclusive definition for e-learning, accepted by the majority of the international scientific community that participated in the project. Our definition is the following:

E-learning is an approach to teaching and learning, representing all or part of the educational model applied, which is based on the use of electronic media and devices as tools for improving access to training, communication and interaction, and which facilitates the adoption of new ways to understand and develop learning

Publications for this definition and recommended citations:

Sangrà, A., Vlachopoulos, D., Cabrera, N. & Bravo, S. (2011). Cap a una definició inclusiva de l'e-learning. Barcelona: eLearn Center. UOC.  (p. 36).

Sangrà, A., Vlachopoulos, D. & Cabrera, N. (2011). The conceptual framework of e-learning. A view from inside. International Journal of Learning (in press).

Sangrà, A., Vlachopoulos, D., Cabrera, N. & Bravo, S. (2010). Defining e-learning: a research on its conceptual framework. International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. Madrid.

Participation of our team in the "ICERI 2010"

Our paper "Defining e-learning: a research on its conceptual framework" was accepted to be presented at the International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation.

The conference is organized by the International Association of Technology, Education and Development and will take place in Madrid (15-17 of November).

The paper aims to present some of the findings of our project and, of course, the "umbrella" definition we created for e-learning.

We strongly believe that the dissemination of our work and the collaboration with other experts can let us go further with our project by identifying and analysing different models, in which e-learning is developed.

Results' analysis and evaluation of the project!!!

The participating experts expressed highly their satisfaction with the umbrella definition created and the project team proceeded to the analysis and evaluation of the project. Soon, the basic conclusions of the “e-learning conceptual framework" project will be posted in this blog.

End of the research activities of the project: the creation of the umbrella definition!

After the literature review, the realization of the focus groups and the application of the Delphi questionnaires, the project team realized three meetings/debates in order to create the “umbrella” definition for the e-learning concept, having as basis the experts’ comments and the different definitions found during the literature review. The objective of the project team was to create a general definition of the concept that could be accepted by the majority of the scientific community and could also set boundaries for the activity at the eLearn Center. The definition created was sent to the experts that participated in the Delphi questionnaires in order to see the level of their satisfaction.

The second round of the Delphi questionnaire begins!

In this second round, the experts are encouraged to revise their earlier answers in the light of the replies of the other members of the panel. It is believed that during this process the range of the answers will decrease and the group will converge towards a generally accepted answer. Nevertheless, we encourage the experts to change their opinions only if they agree with the most popular answer and they are convinced that it is the most suitable one.