Gartner reports on some of the dominant trends in e-learning -- driving forces that will influence users, vendors, and service providers. Here are the top 10:

Global interest is growing -- Among all the other "e" movements, e-learning is one of the fastest growing and universally accepted. In particular, interest is growing in educational and commercial organizations. For example, 80 percent of the top U.S. and European universities will offer global courses by 2004.

Gartner says there are specific initiatives focused on distance learning and Web-based training and education in all 25 of the world's most populous countries. First and foremost, this will lead to higher education opportunities for foreign students: Countries without "mass" university education can access universities in other countries via the Web, a solution much cheaper than building a university infrastructure. While the education and skill of the work force in these countries will increase, countries rich in education opportunities may not be able to attract these students to their work force.

National, state, and local governments are investing -- In underdeveloped countries, e-learning can raise the level of education, literacy, and economic development. This is especially true for countries where technical education is expensive, educational opportunities are limited, and gaps are wide. Government initiatives include providing Internet access, creating online universities, and providing e-learning resources for students in grades K through 12. In public services, e-learning will help in developing or supplementing skills and practices in areas such as health, medical, and agriculture.

Gartner points out that government bodies will most likely repeat the mistakes of corporations by underestimating the cultural impact and cost of e-learning, and by overestimating the capabilities of networks and other e-learning technologies.

Technology will have to offer easier implementation, lower cost per unit, and better content -- The cost, implementation time, and complexity of e-learning are limiting wide adoption and benefits. In addition, e-learning typically focuses on a single technology, with many point products available. Suite packaging -- integrating many of the point products to give customers a full-function e-learning platform -- should make it easier and more affordable to get started.

Another problem is a shortage of course content -- especially outside the mainstream focus areas of IT education, English-language content, and tutorial-like courses. There will be high demand for people who can develop diverse courseware that is multilingual, addresses various topics, and takes advantage of Web functionality. Gartner says that by 2005, one of the top 10 most in-demand positions among Global 1000 companies will be online learning designer.

Hosted e-learning will offer alternative infrastructure -- While companies are planning, designing, building, and implementing an e-learning strategy, they'll need a way to meet their immediate, tactical training and reskilling needs. Hosted e-learning will offer an alternative to meet those needs, and let companies focus on strategic development. Hosted e-learning is developing in three forms:

• Web sites where a company can contract and self-brand the infrastructure to provide basic, browser-based courseware on a pay-as-you-go basis
• Web sites that package and deliver popular or industry-specific courseware (for example, certification courseware such as health and safety courses)
• Full-function Web sites that provide all aspects of a labor-management system