The most important information needed to make eLearning solutions effective has nothing to do with technology. It is the scientific body of knowledge that has been developed over the last 30 years and continues to develop at a rapid pace about how humans learn. 

eLearning interventions that are not informed by data and techniques from the cognitive and learning sciences are unlikely to improve learning outcomes.  However, eLearning that combines results from learning sciences with newly available technological tools to provide interactive learning with rich feedback loops, has tremendous potential for transforming education.  Indeed, it is a key innovation, both for improving our current educational systems and extending access to populations who have not had high quality educational opportunities.