TY - JOUR T1 - e-Learning for the medical team: the present and future of ERS Learning Resources JF - Breathe JO - Breathe SP - 296 LP - 304 DO - 10.1183/20734735.008814 VL - 10 IS - 4 AU - Ali Merzouk AU - Pascal Kurosinski AU - Konstantinos Kostikas Y1 - 2014/12/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/10/4/296.abstract N2 - The term “e-learning” is a comprehensive concept that involves the use of all kinds of electronic media and information and communication technology in education. The broad concept of e-learning in general includes the implementation of all kinds of educational technology in learning and teaching procedures, including online learning and computer-delivered instructions. The foundations of modern e-learning were laid down in 1953–1956 by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (fig. 1) who developed the radical behaviourism theory. Skinner invented the operant conditioning chamber and constructed the first teaching machine which simply presented problems in random order to the learner and gave feedback after each response. In the following years, he developed early computer-based training (CBT) programmes that followed the idea of "programmed instruction" [1], in which material was carefully sequenced in small parts to build a systematic process of descriptions, questions and answers. Skinner's early teaching machines had substantial limitations. For example, while learners were rewarded for correct responses, they received no feedback or explanation when their responses were incorrect. Figure 1 B.F. Skinner: an early pioneer of e-learning. Image: Silly rabbit, Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-3.0. In 1960, Norman Crowder tried to solve this problem with a technique called "intrinsic programming”. The basic principle of this approach was that the learner’s responses determined which material was subsequently presented. At the end of each section, a multiple-choice question was presented to the learner and each choice was linked to another section. If the learner's response was correct, new material was presented. If it was incorrect, review or reinforcement material was presented [2]. Another early computer-assisted instruction system called PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operation) was developed in 1960 at the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL, USA). The "PLATO compiler" allowed the development of various forms of "teaching logic" and was the … ER -