This book contains contributions about the past, present and future of e-learning in twelve European countries. The papers are written by experts about their respective countries, together with one paper that deals with the subject from a transnational perspective. The main question treated and answered in this book is how digital media has contributed to Higher Education Development in different national contexts. Beyond a mere description of the situation in different countries, the socio-technical approach adopted in this book also offers the opportunity to make comparisons and thus fosters understanding between experts from different disciplines and cultures. This book takes stock of a decade of digital media in Higher Education in Europe by presenting a first comparative approach and encouraging discussion by adopting a relativist rather than a generalist approach. Readers are thus stimulated to envisage how e-learning might have developed in their own work and learning context and to shape how it may do so.

E-learning has the potential to change education and training radically, open new ways of learning and increase the ability of people to acquire new skills. It has created new markets for teaching and learning material and equipment. Despite its importance, there is a shortage of information on the extent of e-learning and its rate of growth. This survey, while not a statistically representative sample, covers a range of organisations of different size and type from all EU countries. As such, it provides insight about the rate of the development of e-learning in the EU, the differences between the Member States. The survey was carried out online on the European Training Village (ETV) website www.trainingvillage.gr, by Cedefop, in 2001.

A study investigated the extent of e-learning learning supported by information and communication technologies (ICT) methods in vocational education and training (VET) in the European Union (EU). The survey conducted via the Internet received 653 replies from organizations in the EU. Just over 80 percent of respondents were suppliers or users of e-learning; about 60 percent were both suppliers and users. Larger organizations involved in VET and specialist companies producing training tools or content were more likely to use e-learning. About 30 percent of time spent by users on training involved e-learning. E-learning and classroom-based methods of training were not necessarily alternatives and could be complementary. Use of e-learning for training varied by subject area highest in ICT and lowest, but still significant, in processing and production and sales and marketing. Training suppliers estimated e-learning was responsible for about one-third of their total income from supply of training content and material in 2001. For suppliers of capital equipment and infrastructure, e-learning sales accounted for 23 percent of total income in 2001. For users, e-learning-related investment was responsible for almost 13 percent of expenditure on capital equipment for training in 2001; 14 percent of total spending went on e-learning-related content. The survey and descriptions of 10 recent studies on e-learning in Europe are included. (Contains 36 figures.) (YLB)

E-learning technology has contributed to the expansion of the market for educational services and products. This report examines the key technologies, including: wired and wireless LANs, VPNs, mobile learning, network computers, e-books, artificial intelligence, web-based multimedia, CD-ROM-based interactiveIt also analyses the most promising sectors of the global e-learning market, particularly higher and further education, corporate training. Developments in Europe are compared with the United States and other countries. It also surveys the e-learning companies and the products and services they offer, and describes the strategies available to them to develop their business.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book describes the history, structure and institutions of open and distance education in six countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US. It discusses how open and distance education is evolving in a digital age to reflect the needs and circumstances of national higher education systems in these countries, and explores the similarities and differences between the ways in which they are organized and structured. It is the first book to make such comparisons and draw conclusions about the nature of open and distance education in the context of various national higher education systems. In a digital era with growing use of online education as well as open and distance education, this book is particularly useful for policy-makers and senior administrators who want to learn about organizing and expanding open and distance education provision. It is also a valuable reference for researchers, academics and students interested in understanding the different approaches to open and distance education.

Technologies develop rapidly and reach hurricane levels of velocity but quality E-Content and innovative applications lag behind. This book addresses the question how content industries change within a digital environment and what role information and communication technologies play in transforming the competitive landscape. The authors argue that post-industrial societies tend to pay substantial amounts for equipment and gadgets but invest far too little in the quality of the content. As a result, much effort is and has to be spent on the enhancement of E-Content. The contributions give an elaborate overview of: - the specifics, challenges and prospects of content in the network economy; - market developments of digital media services; - paid content business models; - impacts on scientific publishing; - developments in the field of E-Learning; - the interplay between technology and content with the example of interactive digital TV; - the mobile games market; - emerging new cross media markets; - the need to enhance the usability of websites and mobile applications; - how digital applications might be used to capture and store our personal experiences. A final chapter shows the prospects of the European E-Content market and gives an overview of valuable initiatives and resources dealing with the topic of E-Content.

The findings show that European e-learning stakeholders attach considerable importance to quality but that there are still obstacles that need to be overcome before direct improvement in the quality of education can be made. The survey also analyses the current situation in relation to the development of quality: knowledge, experiences and the capacity to deal creatively with quality approaches. The concept of quality competence is introduced and is empirically contextualised.

This volume examines the EU’s changing educational context and its challenges. Based on an extensive survey of more than 2000 European Studies courses in 30 European countries, it maps and analyses the features of teaching methodologies as they emerge from both disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary curricula. It presents a series of case studies on some of the most-used innovative teaching tools emerging in the field such as simulation games, e-learning, problem based learning, blended learning, and learning through the use of social networks. Based on the contributors’ own experiences and academic research, the book examines both strengths and possible pitfalls of these increasingly popular methods. The book’s critical approach will inspire educators and scholars committed to improving the teaching methods and tools in the area of European Studies and other programmes of higher education facing similar challenges.

"This book presents case studies from those involved in Classroom 2.0 (networking of education institutions and learners), School 3.0 (situated learning in community venues beyond the classroom), Society 4.0 (sharing education practice and delivering learning remotely) and Society 5.0 (ubiquitous education in smart cities, towns and villages)"--