E-learning in theory, practice, and research

Abstract

This article presents three intersecting aspects of e-learning: theory, practice, and research. It begins with a review of the major theoretical frameworks to date - behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, digital media theory, and active learning theory - to demonstrate the ways in which e-learning is both similar and dissimilar to traditional modes of learning. The article then turns to a practical case study of e-learning, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) created by the American Museum of Natural History and hosted on the Coursera platform. The case study demonstrates both how learning theory affords a template to guide MOOC creation, and how MOOC platforms can be a laboratory for e-learning instructional design. The article concludes with an example of e-learning research, demonstrating the importance of synergy among theory, practice, and research.