Status and Developments of eLearning in the EU10 Member States: Cases of Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia

Abstract

This article summarises research carried out 2006-2008 by IPTS (Institution for Prospective Technological Studies) in collaboration with a consortium of experts from 10 new nember states, lead by ICEGEC. The project aimed to gather information on eLearning developments, to assess drivers and barriers and to suggest implications for policy and research in the 10 new member states that joined the European Union in 2004. Three different examples of countries (Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia) demonstrate that while the group is not homogenous commonalities can be detected. Reports show that all the EU10 countries have been catching up with the older member states in ICT penetration and skills, but large digital divides remain due to regional, social and economic divides. Educational institutions are equipped with ICT, but not always at the same level in classrooms as in EU15. Universities are using ICT in education, but mostly for material provision purposes. Enterprises seem to have higher usage of eLearning solutions than in EU15, but these are not equally available for all employees. Lack of focus and coordination in policies to support eLearning developments has been assessed to be a major barrier for developments in eLearning. In general, EU10 seems to be facing similar challenges to other European countries, although specific efforts are needed to help close the large divides and to engage people in lifelong learning with the new opportunities ICT could provide.JRC.J.3-Information Societ