ABSTRACT
Distance education existed long before the Internet, but technological advances have moved it from its humble roots in materials delivered by postal mail to delivery using sophisticated multimedia and online collaborative technologies. With the inclusion of Web 2.0 and social media technologies, e-learning is now often referred to as e-learning 2.0. E-learning growth has occurred in all sectors, including higher education, corporate training, and continuing and professional education, spurred by the availability of technology and, in some cases, by the perceived cost savings. More and more organizations are leveraging Internet technologies to provide education, training, and collaboration capabilities to geographically dispersed populations to enhance their educational experiences and enthusiasm for learning. However, the same issues of quality and effectiveness that exist in classroom settings occur in e-learning, in some cases
compounded by the delivery mechanism. Design and development of Internet-delivered learning material is often more dif£cult and time-consuming, especially because materials may have to stand alone without the guidance and support of a teacher.
