Abstract

e-Learning has revolutionized both educational opportunities and educational expectations. Higher education institutions taught nearly 3.2 million online students during the fall term of 2005. This growth is due, in part, to advances in technology that have made E-learning possible. However, the technology may be ahead of the skills needed to effectively deliver e-education. While the technology exists and continues to expand, expertise in e-learning delivery lags behind. Academic leadership which can develop and maintain a learning community when classrooms move into a virtual world is also underdeveloped. Recognizing the recent and expected growth of e-learning, and the domination of Internet in E-education, this paper explores the growth of this phenomenon. The technology required to develop online programs has progressed remarkably; however, research on digital teaching and learning has lagged behind. We also remark on academic leadership necessary to ensure success of online education initiatives at institutions of higher learning.