Directions in e‐learning tools and technologies and their relevance to online distance language education

Abstract

This paper attempts to draw together current developments in e‐learning tools and technologies with a view to extending distance language educators’ (teachers, materials developers, programme leaders) awareness of the technical possibilities at their disposal for developing online distance learning resources. The paper briefly outlines the evolution of web and computer‐assisted language learning authoring and then describes some current directions in e‐learning applications, such as hybridisation, modularity, standardisation and integration. It suggests the potential of such trends to distance language education, providing examples of online learning materials recently developed by the author and others. It proposes the need to bridge the gap between pedagogic and technical expertise in creating online language learning resources, and argues that greater convergence and dissemination of ideas, resources and objectives between the fields of e‐learning and distance language learning could be of equal benefit in promoting effective online learning resources.

Keywords:

• Distance learning
• E‐learning
• Computer‐assisted language learning