Platforms for e-learning

We assert in this paper that e-learning platforms have come of age. They are not only well accepted, but they also are (Table presented) affordable, easy to use, and are becoming expected, especially by students who have grown up immersed in the flexibility of digital media - the digital native generation. Financial difficulties and the emergence of new technologies have impelled universities to create new systems for delivering education in science. Technology can enable and facilitate the communication and transmission of information, providing students with the opportunity to exchange knowledge and resources and develop mutual understanding. In a computer cluster the teacher has face-to-face interactions with the students, whereas VLEs such as Blackboard and Moodle support communication components that enable both asynchronous and synchronous information exchange and online discussion. These platforms allow the management of content, students, and teachers and offer a large variety of resources and activities, such as quizzes and workshops. In both cases, the teacher can manage a high number of learners, reduce the laboratory cost, give students time to process any new information by making connections with their previous knowledge, and improve student performance in collaborative situations. © Springer-Verlag 2010.