Innovative Pathways to the Next Level of e-Learning

Abstract

Debates about the future of e-learning have reached fever pitch in recent years as governments across the globe have increased investment in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in schools, universities, libraries, households and other locations where e-learning can take place. This paper aims to clarify the key issues of that debate, which started with computer-aided instruction systems in the 1960s, in order to offer a better understanding of the 'next level' of e-learning and how that might be reached. It does this by mining the discussion and other knowledge drawn from a policy forum organized by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII). After an Introduction that provides a more detailed overview of the main themes and conclusions summarized here, this paper explores the five key issues outlined above. In the final two sections, the authors suggest an analytical framework to help understand the issues raised and conclude with an examination of the main policy aspects of this analysis.

Keywords: e-learning, public policy, internet, education, innovation, ICT, technology