Learning negotiation skills by playing a game. Dissecting a virtual frog. Doing your taxes online using a guided tour. Software wizards. Landing a virtual airplane. Accessing a corporate knowledgebase. All are forms of e-learning.

Electronic technology has changed everything, including the way we train and educate people. This article will provide some basic definitions and help unravel the mystery surrounding eLearning.

eLearning (also known as electronic learning) has, at times, been defined very broadly as any type of learning program that uses electronic technology. However, that very broad definition is not typically accepted today. For instance, simply using an electronic technology, such as a slide projector, does not qualify a program as e-Learning. It is the use of computers as an interface between students and the instruction that makes a program fit the definition of e-Learning.

Instead of having only a face-to-face instructor in a traditional classroom setting, e-Learning either completely replaces the instructor, or supplements the instructor. eLearning is delivered either partially or completely through a computer.