E-learning in the Slovenian Armed Forces - from its first steps to its wider use

E-learning (EL) as part of the information society has, both within the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia (MoD), been facilitating the acquisition of knowledge through the world wide web, encouraging innovation and the creativity of participants, and, at the same time, enabling better responsiveness and adaptability of training in terms of place, time and subject matter, which can be adjusted to individual needs. The basic aim of the EL integration in the SAF/MoD was to establish a virtual classroom, which would enable the exchange of on-line knowledge and access to all members of the defence system, both at home and abroad, who have expressed interest in using the contents offered by EL. The major part of e-learning presently used in the military education and training system has been designed as combined education, where the information and communications technology (ICT) serves solely as a means of help for traditional education, delivery of learning material, and communication between participants and education providers. Self-study is conducted in the form of on-line courses (e-courses) without the presence of a tutor or a teacher. The users can freely choose the place and time of their study obligations, be it at work, at home or abroad. This form of education has proved highly suitable for the entire defence system by enabling simple use of and access to e-courses through the E-learning Centre website (http://cei.mors.si).