E-LEARNING, A SUPPORT IT SERVICE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

The last years e-learning has become a special subject, treated with real interest by both education institutions and organizations. The numerous activities, researches and progresses about lifelong learning, self-directed learning, teaching organization, virtual universities, and virtual learning environments successfully demonstrate its impact and importance. The aim of this research regarding the impact of e-learning on the development of university education is to offer general information about the implementation of e-learning concepts in higher education and, second, to define how the concept may be integrated at the superior level of university management. The work presents the results of a research regarding the existence, the impact of e-learning and how the concept may improve higher education. Also it proves the idea according to which the added value resulted from e-learning represents a competitive advantage for the organisation. Starting from the results of the research carried out in December 2009 by Hermes Advisors, a campaign initiated by Intel, that identifies the tendencies in utilising ICT by Romanian students, we have developed a study with our own students, in order to make evident the impact of e-learning on the development of university education. The results of this study demonstrate a growing interest towards e-learning due both to the innovating element and especially to numerous benefits offered to the university environment. However, this study may not be considered ended, but more an attempt to shape the general features of this field. The aim of this article is to emphasize how e-learning has become a support for the development of higher education due to IT&C. The study analyses trends regarding the use of online environment within university education and ends with recommendations regarding the manner of implementation of this concept within universities, offering practical applicability and utility to the concept.