A new direction in the learning processes, the road from eLearning to vLearning

One of the most significant challenges of the knowledge-based information society is how to reach, acquire and take in the ever expanding knowledge volume effectively. Parallel with the proliferation of the internet study support learning management systems have also been developed and introduced. With the improvement of internet-technologies and the spreading of web 2.0 virtual 3D-based systems have evolved and appeared on the market. Thus the list of the study support software systems have expanded by virtual learning environments striving to make the learning process for students more interactive, more attractive and more effective taking advantage of technologies close to and familiar to them. This paper explores the development of these software tools of study supporting from eLearning to vLearning as well as characterizes them. © 2011 IEEE.