Abstract:

The modern e-learning requires participants in this process (including subject-matter experts, instructional designers, instructional developers, trainers and administration and the management of the training institution) to have, besides training and instructional design competencies, a variety of skills for using a lot of tools needed to create and deliver interactive online courses.

This article analyses the processes and specific activities for creating and delivering e-learning content, and based on this analysis basic functionality requirements of different types of tools are outlined. Individual tools including Authoring tools, Learning management systems, Libraries of templates, components or ready to use content and Resources for virtual communication are grouped depending on the stage of e-learning provision.
An analysis of the most popular and used software solutions (paid or open source) has been performed for each of the different tool groups, taking into account the degree of compliance with the functional requirements defined in the previous step.

The results of the analysis show that there is no available single integrated software solution which includes all the tools needed by the various participants in the process of creating, delivering, receiving and certifying received knowledge through online training.
A model for innovative, multi-component, web-based platform for the development, exploitation and distribution of interactive e-learning content management has been developed.

The main purpose of the model is to develop a platform that allows creation and distribution of specific, personalized and motivating learning content, leading to the enhancement of precisely defined competences or skills of the learner. The content has to be created, delivered, consumed and perceived by individual users in the most time-saving way.

The Model includes the following modules: Learning content creation module (Authoring tool), Learning management module, Module for sales and procurement of learning content (Content market), Competency management module, Payment management module, Virtual communication module, User management module, and Portfolio management module. Through the implementation of the multi-component web-based platform model, the whole process of e-learning provision can be implemented in one place, which will greatly facilitate all participants in the process.

Presented is a diagram of interaction and information flow between modules of the model of the integrated platform. In conclusion, the main advantages of using complex infrastructure are derived compared to the use of multiple independent tools.

Keywords:

e-learning platforms, complex e-learning infrastructure, e-learning integration.