**2. What is e-learning and Learning Management System (LMS): A short history**

E-learning is learning to utilize electronic and informational technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course, programme or degree delivered completely on-line.

A learning management system (LMS) is an electronic educational technology (so-called elearning) through which are developed courses and training programmes.

The system (LMS) has incorporated Internet facilities, forums for on-line collaboration and virtual library with courses and materials for training at any level.

The benefits of using this kind of learning systems are dedicated to the ones who learn but also the teachers that have more time to interact on-line with the students and to prepare more interesting materials.

#### **2.1. Short history**

are concentrated on the elaboration of a national strategy, coherent and integrated, through

Themainobstacles intheeffortsofadoptingaright strategyandapplyingtheLisbonandEurope

**•** Missing correspondences between education policies and financial resources allocated

**•** Insufficient implication in education policies for human development of the responsible

Theresponsibleministryandauthoritiesestablishedasetofobjectivestoovercometheproblems

**•** Increase the rate of participation in lifelong learning programmes of the young people and

**•** Identification of financial resources in state institutions and private organizations dedicat‐

Due to the financial and economic global crisis, the resources dedicated to training and human resource development are very reduced or missing integrally. The solutions for this are online courses at low costs because ofthe reduced expenses vs.face-to-face courses which involve

The most appropriate way to finance lifelong learning in Romania in present conditions when the crisis is ameliorated but not overpassed totally are the European Structural and Cohesion Funds for Economic Competitiveness and Human Resource Development. The two national

programmes together can be used for financing lifelong learning for adults.

**•** Using the structural funds for the development of the lifelong learning programmes

all the interested parts and factors to act for the development of the domain.

**•** Underdeveloped culture of permanent education in Romanian organizations

**•** Absence of a policy for adult professional education

462 E-Learning - Instructional Design, Organizational Strategy and Management

**•** Differences between regions regarding lifelong learning

**•** Increase the level of using nonformal education in organizations

**•** Increase the access to education for vulnerable categories of population

**•** Develop IT and foreign language programmes in many organizations

ed to training programmes and human resource development

**•** Develop education programmes for rural population

**•** Develop and implement on-line training systems

2020 Strategy directives are:

of adult education system which are:

actors

adults

logistic costs.

Distance learning appeared for the first time in the eighteenth century in the same time with postal services. Using postal services, Prof. Isaac Pitman, from the UK, in 1840 begins distance courses with his students, sending them materials and tests.

In the USA, the first distance courses were introduced in 1874 at Illinois Wesleyan University, where the distance learning was accepted as a form of education.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Prof. Sidney Pressey, from Ohio University, developed a mechanical device used to test the students; the device was like a typewriting machine with buttons for answers and a window for questions.

After the test the system will show a page with the answers and the evaluation result.

In 1920 appeared the first elements of distance learning by TV or radio.

In 1960, the University of Illinois launched the PLATO [1] 1 programme (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) for advanced computer-assisted instruction. At the beginning of the 1970s, the instruction was extended on 1,000 terminals. The system functioned for 4 years with improvements.

After the World Wide Web apparition in 1989 and HTML language (Hypertext Markup Language), the learning digital technologies were introduced by many universities, colleges and high schools at the global level.

In the 1990s, the LMS were used worldwide. The software were improved, and many schools and universities started to develop their own LMS and present their solutions on the market [2].

Students and teachers could use functionalities like:

**•** Extract and exchange learning materials


The environment and the busy people facilitate the use of e-learning technologies at a large level in present days. This kind of learning extended from universities and high schools to adult education by participating in professional improvement of skills on-line.

In Romania, the process was slower than in the USA or UK.

The first e-learning system in Romania was created and implemented in 1989 at the Polytechnic University of Timisoara and was named 'Distance Learning Centre'. This is still functional today also with specific improvements and helps students to learn without being present every day or helps students without financial possibilities to learn and work at the same time.

The second e-learning system appeared in 2001 and was developed by the Education Ministry for high school exams and national yearly evolutions.

The e-learning systems are the future of learning due to the adaptability meant to meet the needs of the participant as individual, of the small and big groups without big costs and time spent [3].
