Experience with building distance learning applications shows that a clear understanding of the big picture of standardization in this area is a necessary prerequisite for successful use of standards in practical developments. This article presents e-learning standards, standardization activities and organizations, standards-based development practices, and driving forces for improving existing standards and developing new ones. With these resources, educators and Web-based education system developers will have the tips necessary to approach, implement, and reuse a standards-based distance-learning application.