E-learning development tendencies in higher education and future directions

Abstract

Teachers and students in higher education are coming to realize that to become competent
 practitioners there is need to take advantage of up-to-date digital technologies and learning
 practices. Learning process requires measurement and evaluation of students behaviour. In the case
 of e-learning, evidence is sought for improvements resulting from the use of online tools and
 processes desired to achieve a given set of learning outcomes. In this 21st century, knowledge is fast
 becoming a powerful engine in life. The visions, innovations, and inventions are the building blocks
 of developing knowledgeable and sustainable society. E-learning has facilitated the use of a plethora
 of internet and web-based applications as the method of communication with a distributed
 audience. Therefore, institutions of higher learning are constantly venturing into new and innovative
 methods and are radically changing the educational practice making it competitive. This paper
 examines how emerging technologies and e-learning are being used in education to create a major
 shift in the educational service paradigm that promises major advantages over the traditional
 distance learning and face-to-face systems. The authors present developments in distance education
 and e-learning whilst clarifying the similarities and differences between them. We identify factors
 affecting development of e-learning systems and examine the implementation of some systems in
 pervasive distributed computing environments. For everyone everywhere, the present developments
 in e-learning spells more access for learners, cautionary expansion for universities, and accelerated
 learning and influences for the future. The future directions is such that the higher educational
 system of the future and especially in Europe must aim to meet human development needs with elearning
 playing some major parts through promotion of access and widening participation in
 knowledge and skills acquisition. In order to support learning in evolving dynamic environments,
 several factors must be taken into consideration. These range from policies, strategies, the current
 education environments and business needs as well as the specific discipline being studied. Since the
 advent of e-learning and its eventual implementation in higher education, the world of learning for
 both the advanced nations and emerging economies have witnessed an upsurge in the number and
 types of students who are now engaged in pursuit of studies at institutions of higher learning. This
 paper reports on issues relating to expectations of the university of the future and the future of
 universities.