E-learning Challenges and Provisions

The paper is focused on provisions and challenges for the eLearning process, analysing the premises for the successful implementation of the e-learning programmes, i.e. the adequate infrastructure and the key competences required. The study is emphasising the role of the higher education institutions in compensating the students’ lack of adequate competences required for participating in e-learning. Digital skills, self-motivation, self-driven learning capacity, good communication skills, including communication in foreign languages and cultural awareness, have been considered as main factors facilitating the online learning processes. Barriers in accessing the e-learning environments, consisting especially in the digital divide, have been highlighted and analysed. The research has been based on the identification and analysis of the state-of-the-art in this area and on the statistical data analysis. In addition to the desk research, a study case has been presented, illustrating the concrete students’ situation and profile. In this context, a survey has been organised for the identification of the existing students’ key competences and also the needed skills for facilitating the students’ involvement in the e-learning processes on a continuous basis, as an important asset for their social insertion. The universities are key players that may be involved in bridging the digital divide and in developing the necessary adults’ skills for the successfully participation in online learning processes. The role of the e-learning in the adult continuous education, based on cybergogy and andragogy paradigms, has been also emphasised. Besides the main competences and skills required as pre-conditions for the efficacy of the online learning process, the paper emphasises also the impact of the e-Learning on the educational processes and knowledge democratisation.