e-Learning Theories with Emphasis on Independence Theory

Introduction: The basis of distance learning rests on the independence of the learner. The independent learning-teaching process is an educational system in which each learner is independent and separated from their teacher by time and place. Hence the present study seeks to examine E-learning Theories in general, but focuses on Independence Theory. Methods: The present study was conducted using quantitative content analysis and the research population is all printed and digital papers and documents which have discussed e-learning, distance learning, e-learning Theories, Independence Theory and independent study and etc. which have been found with specific keywords in databases such as Google Scholar, Magiran, Civilica and Noormags in the time span of 1385-1394 and 1990 -2009. These documents consisted of 36 books and articles which have been reduced to 26 valid documents as research samples after restricting the search results. Results: Distance learning is a method based on the principle of self-learning in which the preparation of self-taught teaching materials is of great importance. Distance learning seeks to achieve independence, freethinking and obstinacy of the learner and even promotes linguistic, scientific and cultural pluralism and believes in the paradigm of globalization. Freedom of thought, creative thinking, responsibility and selfcreation are attributes that distance learning has sought to achieve. Conclusion: Contrary to the view of those who believe that distance learning promotes a kind of indiscipline and chaos, distance education actually promotes a philosophical-educational approach that believes in creating critical thinking, destroying exploitation and accepting scientific, religious, linguistic, cultural and intellectual pluralism. An independent learner with self-observational and self-control experiences and perceptions, analyzes self-taught texts and constructs the information world in which they live. They create their own mental models and, based on different knowledge and experiences, they have different and unique understanding of the facts than other learners.