Does Distance Matter? An IT Application

In the past decade several distance learning initiatives have been implemented in information technology curricula based upon the principles of natural learning. This paper examines the various ways in which distance learning may contribute to 'natural learning'. The main research question is how distance learning provides support to natural learning processes. Our starting point is that students can learn with information systems instead of from the systems. The paper investigates the relationship between distance learning and natural learning. On this basis, the requirements for distance learning as well as the technologies that might make use of these requirements are identified and analyzed.