Ubiquitous e-learning - A concept of virtual knowledge

When attempting to communicate experiences and knowledge between people over distances in time and space we can use the abilities of information technology. With an increase in access to information resources, teaching aids and information facilities, the user can postpone learning to a moment when knowledge is needed. Learning can occur simultaneously with knowledge being used. Sometimes learning even becomes superfluous as it is replaced by technology. A problem that usually needs some specific knowledge to be solved can be solved with support from an information resource, as a kind of knowledge-on-loan. This is nothing new, a textbook can provide knowledge-on-loan. But one gets something qualitative different when one constantly can access information - one cannot walk around with a library. The user can exceed his ability to solve certain tasks in a way that is comparable to a person with such knowledge. To an observer it might look as if the user has the knowledge, here called virtual knowledge. The borderline between information and the users knowledge tends to be vague, and in many cases dependent of the viewpoint. This article will put some light on these questions and is intended to mark out a direction for further research.