Was humpty dumpty right?: Towards a functional definition of e-learning

Abstract This paper discusses the importance of definitions in context academic discussion, highlights inconsistent terminology used to describe e-learning, and examines a range different e-learning by authors since 2011. Following an outline methodology, identifies 15 unique peer-reviewed papers published between January 2011 December 2022. The are analysed for significant properties, these properties reviewed assess whether they essential components e-learning. then proposes functional definition including all elements eliminating that may be present some, but not all, instances