Research Trends in E-Learning

E-learning is playing very important role in the present educational scenario. It has potential to change the whole education system and due to this very reason it has become one of the most preferred subjects for the researchers. Research works on e-learning are going on in various disciplines like Mass Communication, Education, Information and Technology (IT) and Distance Education. Scholars are working on the various aspects of e-learning. This study analyzed the various research works on e-learning to find out the research trends in this field.

E-learning  refers  to  the  cognitive  process  of  acquiring  knowledge  or  skill where  electronic  media  and  Information  and  Communication  Technologies (ICT) in education serve as a medium. E-learning does not require any physical accommodation and can be self-paced. This is known as asynchronous learning. It may also be instructor-led and the user needs to attend various sessions which are  scheduled  by  the  instructor.  This  is  known  as  synchronous  learning.  Due  to this  flexibility  (asynchronous)  and  interactive  collective  learning  (synchronous) E-learning has evolved tremendously. Studies have proven that E-learning has the capability to provide quality environment for future education.