There are many terms for online education. Some of them are: virtual education, Internetbased education, web-based education, and education via computer-mediated communication.

The Web-edu project uses a definition of online education that is based on Desmond Keegan's (1988) definition of distance education. Hence, online education is characterized by:
1. The separation of teachers and learners which distinguishes it from face-to-face
education.
2. The influence of an educational organization which distinguishes it from self-study and
private tutoring.
3. The use of a computer network to present or distribute some educational content.
4. The provision of two-way communication via a computer network so that students may
benefit from communication with each other, teachers, and staff.