Review of e-learning theories, frameworks and models

This review by Terry Mayes and Sara de Freitas is part of the e-learning Models Desk Study study carried out by Chimera: Institute of Socio-technical Innovation and Research, University of Essex under Professor Chris Fowler. The purpose of the desk study was to describe what is understood by effective practice in relation to e-learning; to identify and describe the range of models that inform the design and implementation of e-learning activities and to specify a planning tool to aid practitioners in their implementation of e-learning. This review is designed to inform practitioners, policy developers and other stakeholders who want to reflect more deeply upon their practice or gain a greater understanding about how theory and practice can be mapped together. This review reveals the pedagogic and pragmatic assumptions underlying a range of approaches to e-learning, classified into three broad areas. Proposes a principle of constructive alignment to ensure practice models are based on relevant theoretical frameworks. This link opens the report in PDF.