Self-directed Distance Learning Systems - a European-level Cooperation Initiative

Introduction

With the current trends driven by advances in information technology lifelong learning is an essential challenge for shaping the future of our societies; it is a necessity rather than a possibility or a luxury to be considered. The significance of computer-based learning is growing in all kinds of learning scenarios. eLearning generally is seen as the chance to innovate learning. Learning can take place anywhere, at the moment when it is needed. It can be individualized concerning time, place, duration, and learning style. Learning can be taken out of classrooms and formal educational institutions. It must be integrated into working and private life. Even if critical opinions exist and empirical verifications of success stories are rare, still most experts agree that eLearning promises to innovate ways of learning. For instance, the eEurope initiative claims that “the possibilities which interactive networking brings can be exploited to develop a whole new approach to learning and training – eEducation – where students access a host of academic and research material and facilities online. … what is needed is both a network capable of supporting end-to-end multimedia communications with guaranteed quality and the development of innovative content, practices and tools to demonstrate usage of virtual campuses and virtual institutes.”

Full text (PDF: 29 KB)