What is eLearning Called? Simple Terms and Surprising Facts

Ever scroll through education websites and feel lost in a sea of fancy names for online classes? It's not just you. The world of eLearning throws around a bunch of terms—sometimes it’s 'virtual learning,' other times it’s 'online courses' or even 'distance education.' They all sound different, but most of the time, they mean something pretty similar: learning with the help of the internet, away from a classic classroom.

When people say “eLearning,” it’s basically short for 'electronic learning.' That means you use a screen—your phone, laptop, or even your tablet—to get access to lessons, quizzes, videos, and assignments. No chalkboards, no desks. Just you, your device, and whatever topic you need to master.

Here’s a quick test: try asking three of your friends what they call classes on the internet. You’ll probably get three different answers. That’s because companies, schools, and even teachers love to invent their own names for these platforms—sometimes to sound cool, sometimes to sound more serious. But in the end, 'eLearning' is kind of the umbrella that covers all digital, remote, web-based, and online learning.

• What eLearning Really Means
• Different Names, Same Idea?
• Industry Jargon vs Everyday Talk
• Picking the Right eLearning Platform

What eLearning Really Means

So, what do people actually mean when they talk about eLearning? At its core, it’s any kind of learning or training that happens on a digital device, usually with the help of the internet. It could be someone watching video lessons at home on their laptop, or employees at a company taking interactive safety courses on their phones. If you’ve ever watched a YouTube tutorial or completed a quiz on a school portal, that counts, too.

When eLearning first became a thing in the 1990s, it was mostly just text on static web pages. Now, it’s got everything—live classes, games, instant feedback, and even virtual reality sometimes. Schools, universities, and businesses all jumped in, with almost 70% of US students now using at least one online class during their education, according to a 2023 study from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Here’s a quick look at the most common types of eLearning:

• Instructor-led online classes: These feel a bit like Zoom meetings—there’s a real teacher leading, but everyone joins from their own spot.
• Self-paced courses: You get materials you can complete when it works for you. No tight schedules.
• Blended learning: A mix of live classes (online or in-person) and self-paced stuff, usually with digital assignments or discussion boards.
• Microlearning: Bite-sized lessons meant to fit your lunch break or bus trip home. Think Duolingo or quick business tips from LinkedIn Learning.

To see the explosion of this stuff, check out this simple table:

It’s clear—eLearning isn’t just a backup plan for school snow days anymore. It’s the main way millions of people pick up skills, finish degrees, or train for work. So, next time you see a new fancy term, remember: if you’re learning with a device, you’re in the eLearning club.

Different Names, Same Idea?

So you see the words “distance learning,” “virtual classrooms,” and “remote education” all thrown around next to eLearning. Are they just repeats of the same thing? Pretty much, yes. The main idea behind each term is still about learning through the internet, just with different labels slapped on by schools, tech companies, or training programs who all want to seem unique.

For example, the term “distance learning” goes way back—decades before high-speed Wi-Fi—when courses were mailed to students. Today, it just means you aren’t sitting in a regular classroom. “Online courses” became a thing when colleges started posting lectures and assignments on websites. “Virtual learning” usually means using video chats, cool interactive platforms, or social features along with basic course materials. “Blended learning” is another one, mixing online tools with face-to-face stuff.

Let’s see how different names pop up in the real world:

• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): This is the software, like Moodle or Canvas, that teachers use to post lessons and grades.
• MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): These let anyone jump into free (or cheap) college-level classes on sites like Coursera or edX.
• Learning Management System (LMS): Companies use these to train employees online. Think of platforms like TalentLMS or Blackboard.

Let’s put some of these terms side by side to see how often they’re actually used. A 2024 report from Class Central showed these numbers:

As you can see, "eLearning" takes the lead by a mile, followed by “online learning.” People still mix up the others though, often without realizing it.

This isn’t just a random mess of names. Dr. Tony Bates, an expert on digital education, summed it up well:

“No matter what you call it—eLearning, online learning, remote or distance education—the main thing is that you're using technology to give students control over where, when, and how they learn.”

Bottom line? Don’t let the changing terms trip you up. They all point to the same universe of learning with the help of technology. If a site or a teacher uses a different word, they’re still talking about learning online or from a distance. So, next time you see a new buzzword, you’ll know not to overthink it.

Industry Jargon vs Everyday Talk

When you dive into the world of eLearning, you’ll notice there's a huge gap between the words everyday people use and the official names tossed around by companies or schools. Maybe you’ve heard terms like “LMS” (learning management system) or “MOOC” (massive open online course) and had no idea what they actually meant. Platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Coursera call themselves LMS or MOOC providers, but most everyday users just say “online classes” or “learning websites.”

Here’s the truth: the industry loves short forms and buzzwords. Some of these are:

• LMS: Software that lets teachers organize, deliver, and track courses online (for example, Thinkific or Blackboard).
• MOOC: Free or paid large-scale online classes that take students from all over the world (think edX and Coursera).
• Virtual classroom: A live, interactive lesson that tries to mimic a real classroom over video or chat, like what you find in Zoom or Google Classroom sessions.
• Blended learning: A mix of face-to-face and online lessons (so you'll see blended courses in lots of high schools and colleges now).

The regular person, though, isn’t talking like this. When people chat about their experience, they usually stick with “online course,” “remote class,” or just “learning online.” It’s way more relaxed, and honestly, a lot easier to follow.

Check out this quick comparison between jargon and plain English names:

Why does all this matter? If you want to find great courses or talk to support, knowing the jargon helps. But if you just want to tell your friend what you're up to, plain English is totally fine. Try mixing in one or two terms if you’re searching online, though—you’ll get way better results and even find some platforms you’d otherwise miss.

Picking the Right eLearning Platform

With so many choices out there, finding a good eLearning platform can feel like picking a show on Netflix—too many options, not enough time. But you don’t need to be an expert to spot the platforms that actually work for you. Start with your goal. Are you picking up a skill for work, getting ready for an exam, or just curious about a topic?

The big names like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy all have different flavors. Coursera partners with real colleges for certifications, so that one’s popular for folks needing something official to show on their resume. Udemy is more about hands-on skills, like learning Photoshop or how to code. Khan Academy is super friendly (and free) for school subjects, especially if you or your kid needs tutoring in math or science.

Here’s what you actually want to look for in an eLearning platform:

• eLearning content that matches your style—videos, quizzes, readings, or all three
• Clear progress tracking so you know how far you’ve come
• Real interaction, like discussion boards, instructor Q&A, or live sessions
• Certificates or badges if you care about proof
• Mobile app, so you can study wherever (like during your dog’s walk—Max, my dog, always tries to distract me)
• Transparent pricing—watch out for surprise costs or hidden fees

If you’re curious which platforms are used the most, here’s a quick snapshot based on 2024 usage:

Don’t be afraid to try out the free version before you drop any money. Most platforms toss in a few preview lessons or free courses so you can see what you’re getting. And if you’re a manager or teacher wanting a platform for a team or class, look for options that make it easy to assign work and check progress. A good platform should save you time, not create more busywork.