 E-learning is essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge.  E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching.  E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer- based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration.

 Use of network connection;  Utilization of a personal computer as instrument of participation in the learning process;  Flexibility of attendance;  Multimedia;  Interactivity with software;  Interaction with tutors and other students;  Possibility to monitor the level of learning.

 In the early 1960s, Stanford University psychology professors Patrick Suppes and Richard C. Atkinson experimented with using computers to teach math and reading to young children in elementary schools in East Palo Alto, California. Stanford's Education Program for Gifted Youth is descended from those early experiments.

 Early e-learning systems were based on Computer-Based Learning/Training often attempted to replicate autocratic teaching styles. Then, the role of the e- learning system was assumed to be for transferring knowledge. Conversely, systems developed later based on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL), encouraged the shared development of knowledge.

 The term E-Learning 2.0 is a neologism for CSCL systems that came about during the emergence of Web 2.0. From an E-Learning 2.0 perspective, conventional e-learning systems were based on instructional packets, which were delivered to students using assignments. Assignments were evaluated by the teacher. In contrast, the new e-learning places increased emphasis on social learning and use of social software such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and virtual worlds such as Second Life.

 E-Learning 2.0, in contrast to e-learning systems not based on CSCL, assumes that knowledge (as meaning and understanding) is socially constructed. Learning takes place through conversations about content and grounded interaction about problems and actions. Advocates of social learning claim that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others.

In our school teachers and students use the Internet in different ways and for different purposes:  To search for information and resources about the subjects and topics they teach, or study (either hypertexts or multimedia)  To find materials; for example, some teachers of Geography often use the Internet to look for videos about countries or particular regions that they are going to present to their students. As an example, someone finds very useful documentaries on our national TV website, which is very rich with every kind of materials.

 Particularly as regards scientific subjects, teachers who hold remedial courses often use websites in which students can find tutorials, interactive lessons or specifically designed exercises and activities.  Some teachers use a special software, known as Virtual Learning Environment-VLE (Moodle can be an example), which enable them to interact with their students even in real time and in various ways. For example teachers can send their students lessons, materials, homework and can correct tests in real time.  Other teachers simply use in order to give their students homework hints about specific topics or to  Other teachers simply use in order to give their students homework hints about specific topics or to correct the exercises that they assigned to their students.

 All these technologies represent important tools for teachers and learners, especially because they help them to avoid waste of time and are really effective to achieve specific skills. Moreover, most of the students have quite a friendly approach with them.  Teachers in our school were involved in even more elaborate experiences concerning the use of the Internet.  The project called “Digiscuola” (= DIGItal school) represented one of the most important ones.  The main purpose of this project, which was carried out at a national level, was to spread among teachers and students knowledge about the use of ICT as widely as possible.

The project included 3 main stages:  Teachers’ training. Teachers involved in the project attended on line classes on the project platform. They were divided in small groups interacting for a long while with their trainers who held on line lessons and meetings. Of course, all the training activities were carried out on the web.  Activities with students. Every teacher involved in the project (mainly teachers of Italian and Maths) planned “digital” classes for their students, designing lessons on specific topics, taught using interactive multimedial whiteboards connected to a PC.  Products sharing Students carried out their own activities on the topic chosen and supervised by their teachers, then the final products were shared on the project platform.

 Of course, using the Internet, we have a great availability of materials, we can meet people from all over the world and attend lessons even from our house. We can look at paintings, visit foreign cities, learn languages, read books and news. Furthermore, the possibility to interact with other people allows us not only to learn, but also to teach and, in general, to widen our horizons.

 But...we have to pay attention to some aspects such as the change of our way of memorizing and learning: in fact the greatest risk we can take is to rely completely upon data we normally find in a website and that we can check every time we need. This could probably become a problem if, for any reason, computers and virtual libraries were not available anymore because we would suddenly be deficient in our own knowledge.

 We must encourage e-learning and all the ways of communication, but everyone must preserve his own identity and develop as much as possible his/her personal knowledge, in order to maintain his/her independence from the internet, which must remain just an implement. I could also say that we can use a calculator to calculate the square root of nine, but we really should do it by ourselves.

 E learning is undoubtedly one of the most important innovations brought by the Internet in the last decades and it’s a great implement for our learning process, but it’s important for us and for the future generations to use this instrument just as a strengthening of our knowledge and not as a base of it.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.