Open AccessThe evolution of open learning: A review of the transition from pre-e-learning to the era of e-learning
Author(s) -
Kam Cheong Li
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
knowledge management and e-learning: an international journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2309-5008
pISSN - 2073-7904
DOI - 10.34105/j.kmel.2018.10.025
Subject(s) - open learning , experiential learning , active learning (machine learning) , computer science , artificial intelligence , cooperative learning , mathematics education , psychology , teaching method
This paper offers a summary of the developments that open learning has gone through, from the stages before e-learning emerged to when it carved out a niche position. It first analyzes how open learning moved through five stages, and identifies the characteristics and dominant technology at each stage. The five stages cover the period from correspondence learning in the 19th century to the present era of interactive online learning. It then examines how the term “open learning” has been defined in published work and how the definitions have evolved. From these definitions of open learning, seven semantic components were identified. The frequencies with which each of these components were adopted in the definitions in three periods since 1990 were then analyzed, revealing the changes in the meanings of open learning. In an extended discussion, this paper sums up the evolution of open learning and highlights some of the factors that have driven the changes. It also predicts how education will evolve with e-learning.