The term eLearning represents the concept of using computers and information technology to teach and to learn. People often refer to it also as "eTraining". Where "eTraining" refers to the educator side, "eLearning" refers to the student side. Throughout this article we will use the term "eLearning" to refer to the more global concept of eLearning and eTraining. There are many aspects of eLearning, from the infrustructure of the system to the software tools that produce and publish learning contents. In this article we will briefly introduce the infrustructure and tool for implementing Corporate eLearning.

What is an eLearning Platform?

The eLearning platform refers to the actual delivery of learning contents from the instructor to the learners. It can be broken down to two aspects, one is based on managing the procedures of online learning instructions (LMS), and the other is the management of learning contents (LCMS). Learning Management Systems (LMS) are where an organizations learners/participants can register for courses, take instructional programs, and participate in a variety of interactive learning activities and on-line assessments. Furthermore, LMS also assist instructors/managers to manage administrative tasks, collect learning records/reports and improve the corporate learning lifecycle.

Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) on the other hand, provide a means for editing, managing and delivering learning contents. Instructional Designers can utilize LCMS to arrange and edit courses/programs, and upload course content files. An LCMS must be able to permit contents within the learning environment to be sharable, allowing multiple users accessibility to the contents, so as to avoid content reproduction and storage waste. In light of the streaming media content revolution, an LCMS must also support streaming media services, delivering rich-media to the learning environments.

CyberLink's TCMS is a total solution, web-based learning system that can provide a business with a server platform software that will enable them to increase productivity, reduce the cost of training, improve corporate competitiveness and optimize knowledge resources. It is and all-in-One Solution, combining LMS and LCMS functionalities to execute controllable learning programs and optimize knowledge resources. Knowledge materials and/or learning materials created by SCORM compliant authoring tools, such as CyberLink StreamAuthor, can be conveniently deployed to and managed on the server, delivered to learners via the Internet, Intranet or Extranet, tracked by the trainer, and measured for effectiveness via survey/test assessment.

What is e-Learning Software?

In its earlier days, eLearning programs relied on traditional bulletin board systems, and eventually CD-ROMs for the distribution of learning contents. As computers have become more powerful and the Internet usage became more popular, more advanced eLearning programs are now possible. eLearning software enables the gathering and the delivery of training materials through electronic methods.

Some advanced software packages, such as StreamAuthor, even offer the ability to capture video, synchronize recorded or live video with PowerPoint presentations (and other media files, such as Word, Excel, FLASH, etc.), produce and publish final presentations to the Internet or to CD/DVD in a matter of minutes. This allows virtually anybody with access to the software to publish and share their knowledge to their chosen audiences. This simple principle has helped many users of eLearning programs to save time and money by reducing the need to travel to external training seminars.

StreamAuthor offers corporations the ability to gain a competitive edge on the competition by providing them with the means to create high impact rich-media presentations in a short period of time, for minimal cost, and with little or no need for costly support/training. It is an ideal software for creating eTraining presentations, product/sales demonstrations, corporate communications, and much more

Why use an e-Learning Program?

By diverging from the standard classroom methodologies, eLearning is able to capitalize on the growing worldwide desire for on-demand learning. People in different physical locations, time zones and possibly even speakers of different languages can all participate in the same eLearning program. Successful eLearning programs are able to deliver consistent learning contents at a significant time and cost saving manner comparing to the traditional approaches.

A well-designed eLearning program will integrate various forms of media, such as video and audio clips, PowerPoint presentations, Word or PDF documents in addition to books and papers. The specific methods and content used in a given program will depend on the nature of the training and the program goals of the trainers. As high-speed network connections are becoming a standard around the world, the Internet and corporate intranets are the most common tools for the delivery of eLearning programs, though CD or DVD-ROMs play a small role too.

What are some applications of e-Learning?

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