E-learning is defined as instruction delivered over a computer using multimedia elements: text, narration pictures, illustrations, photos, animation and/or video. e-Learning courses help learners reach either personal or professional goals and objectives.

E-Learning is unique in the way it delivers instruction. It allows students to mix self-study with collaboration and to get feedback on work.

Instructional methods are techniques that support the learning in the online environment and help with learning of the content. This includes practice and feedback. According to Clark & Mayer (E-learning and the Science of Instruction), 50% of all e-learning is near transfer, i.e. step-by-step learning similar to on the job-training. A lot of online training is project based.

Students taking onlineclasses need to be very motivated - they need to invest the effort to persist and problem solve. They need to set learning goals and decide on ways to reach those goals. They need to have good metaskills (Metacognitive monitoring) - the ability to plan, monitor, and assess their learning and make necessary self adjustment to become successful.

Humans learn through two channels: visual and auditory channels. As we see, read, and hear new information our brain processes the information in memory. Memory consists of two layers: short term memory and long term memory. For learning to be effective the information needs to move from short term memory - where it first enters - to long term memory. However, just to have information stored in long term memory doesn't cause learning success. The information also needs to be integrated with previous knowledge in long term memory and it needs to be able to be retrieved. Without the retrieval process learning fails.

Human short term memory is limited. Overload makes learning hard. Instructional designers are encouraged to use minimalist approaches - the coherence principle - to avoid overload.

"Drill and practice" are techniques that support learning of content. Using this method information is retrieved from long term storage and used and learning occurs. E-learning courses with appropriately implemented new technologies can help students in the learning process. Drill and practice through real-time conferencing or chat, simulations, quizzes, collaboration projects between students, and use of video are some tools that help in the online learning process.