Web-Based Education (WBE)

Technological advances in telecommunications combined with Web-enabled technologies have created a new technology known as “Internet Communications Technologies (ICT) & Teaching Technologies.” This new technology has changed the concepts of education.

Asynchronous Network Learning (ANL), Web-based education (WBE), and eLearning are different names for education on the Web. WBE is becoming so popular that many for-profit colleges and universities are emerging, providing stiff competition to traditional universities. Public and private colleges and universities, from all over the world, are facing the many challenges and opportunities offered by this new technology-based concept.

WBE is diffusing across disciplines, curriculums, levels, and even national boundaries. WBE is not limited to the privileged few. Like any emerging technology, “ICT and Teaching Technologies” is not free from problems, controversies, and challenges. There are proponents and opponents of Web-based education, generating anxiety but also some interesting discussions. As many new universities are joining WBE, many old ones are failing. It is important for educators to be aware of the discussions and learn from the successes and failures of the early adopters. The first wave of WBE concentrated on the “what” of WBE, and the next generation is focusing on the “how.”