Blended Learning: Beyond Web Page Design for the Delivery of Content

The growing use of computers in all walks of life has inevitably raised the question of the efficiency of e-learning in higher education. Technology has entered university teaching in a variety of ways including content delivery, resources for additional reading, student interaction and learning assessment. It is evident that e-learning offers significantly increased flexibility to the student in terms of time, place, pace and process; however, the provision of too much flexibility may disadvantage the learning process and encourage inappropriate learning strategies. In this presentation, we consider that the uptake of e-learning is inevitable. Moreover, it can offer significant benefits to both lecturer and learner provided inappropriate practices are avoided. We propose that the design of the e-learning environment is allimportant, as is the imposition of structures and boundaries for the students. We conclude that e-learning strategies are likely to find widespread use if take-up offers significant advantages to lecturers as compared to their current practices.