An analysis of the state and prospects of e-learning in developing countries

E-learning and distance learning are standard modes of education in today´s European and American educational institutions, and they have been marketed as a solution to Africa´s education needs, too. This study investigated the challenges and possibilities related to the development of distance education in a developing country context. We outline the distance education needs in developing countries, as well as some of the related challenges. We report the results of a qualitative study, in which our informants were IT and education experts in developing countries. Even though we found a number of pedagogical, technical, and environmental aspects need to be taken into consideration[0], our results support the view that e-learning and distance education indeed offer promising new directions for education in developing countries. Our research showed that distance education was regarded as especially promising in respect to post-graduate education, sustaining competence, and completion of degrees. On the negative side, there was a worry about the decreasing number of jobs.