The Present and Future of Standards for E-Learning Technologies

This paper studies the e-learning technologies from the standardization aspect with a glimpse on future changes. Our aim is to thoroughly review the existing standards, the e-Learning process workflow and the market needs and trends and indicate the best path for achieving a global standard for e-learning activities. The generic model of e-learning is presented without emphasis on specific software and hardware solutions. We focus on the major necessities like reusability or interoperability of content and technologies and revise the current standards regarding these two aspects. The most popular infrastructure models are presented in details and the related committees and organizations involved in the standardization process are referenced. As an epilogue to this presentation we provide our insights for a global standard, which will cover all aspects of elearning and will be supported by all related organizations, vendors, institutions and individual educators. We illustrate the steps for the successful configuration and deployment of a globally accepted standard and display the merits of this approach.