E

Echo cancellation: The process of eliminating the acoustic echo in a videoconferencing room.

E-learning (electronic learning): Term covering a wide set of applications and processes, such as Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, CD-ROM, and more.

Email (electronic mail): Messages sent from one computer user to another.

Email list: A form of one-to-many communication using email; a software program for automating mailing lists and discussion groups on a computer network.

End-to-end solution: A marketing term used by large e-learning suppliers; meant to imply that their products and services will handle all aspects of e-learning.

End user: The person for whom a particular technology is designed; the individual who uses the technology for its designated purpose. In e-learning, the end user is usually the student.

Enterprise-wide e-learning: E-learning that's intended for all or most employees within a company. It's often part of a strategic change of direction with a very short timeline, but is also used to support a core process such as sales.

EPSS (electronic performance support system): 1) A computer application that's linked directly to another application to train or guide workers through completing a task in the target application. 2) More generally, a computer or other device that gives workers information or resources to help them accomplish a task or achieve performance requirements.

Ergonomics: Design principles relating to the comfort, efficiency, and safety of users.

ERP (enterprise resource planning): A set of activities supported by application software that helps a company manage such core parts of its business as product planning, parts purchasing, inventory management, order tracking, and customer service. Can also include modules for finance and HR activities. The deployment of an ERP system can involve considerable business process analysis, employee retraining, and new work procedures.

Ethernet: A type of local area network, originally developed at Xerox, in which computers communicate through radio frequency signals sent over coaxial cable.

E-training: See TBT.

Evaluation: Any systematic method for gathering information about the impact and effectiveness of a learning offering. Results of the measurements can be used to improve the offering, determine whether the learning objectives have been achieved, and assess the value of the offering to the organization.

Extensibility: The ability to expand and adapt an e-learning application or infrastructure by adding features, components, or services to a core set of capabilities.

Extranet: A local-area network (LAN) or wide-area network (WAN) using TCP/IP, HTML, SMTP, and other open Internet-based standards to transport information. An extranet is only available to people inside and certain people outside an organization, as determined by the organization.