By e-learning we mean the chance to learn by means of the internet and its ability to make information available from a distance.

the use of an internet connection to be able to take advantage of educational material and take part in training activities based on a specific kind of technology called a “technological platform” (Learning Management System, LMS);

the use of a personal computer (possibly integrated with other interfaces and devices) as primary tool for the participation in the learning process;

a high degree of independence of the learning process from ties such as the need to attend in person or fixed timetables;

continuous assessment of progress  carried out both through being followed throughout the process and frequent tests and self-evaluations;

the usefulness of:

-  multi-media features (effective integration between different media contributin

             to a better overall understanding of the contents);

-  interactivity with the material (which favours personal study plans and optimizes     

             learning);

-  human interaction (with teachers/tutors and other students – to stimulate, by means of 

             web   

             communication technologies, the creation of collective learning contexts).

E-learning makes the most of the resources at our disposal on the web for synchronous and /or non-synchronous training for users, who can access the course contents whenever they wish and wherever there is an internet connection.

This characteristic, together with the kind of teaching material planning has led to certain kinds of e-learning to be called “student-centred teaching solutions”