New perspectives: New Challenges

The paradigm shift from teaching to learning is rapidly gaining force and credibility, thus leaving prominent international institutions of higher education worldwide with no choice but to meet the challenge by integrating on-line learning within their curriculum. This strategic move towards e-learning has been largely facilitated by the rapid expansion of information technology namely, the power of the Web and the increasing access to the Internet. On-line learning is transforming the conceptual as well as the physical dimensions of the learning equation and creating new realities within the landscape of the teaching/learning milieu. This new learning environment requires new attitudes, new terminology, new methods of delivery, and new means of assessment supported by congruent and accommodating technological infrastructure that enable e-learning to fulfilits potential in the post “chalkboard and textbooks” era. In addition to an extensive review of relevant literature, this exploratory study draws on the personal experience of its author with e-learning while teaching at one of New Zealand’s pioneer universities in the field of distance learning in order to build a case for on-line learning. It argues that the time has come to embark on a major shift in focus aimed at developing and implementing a more practical and coherent e-learning environment in our universities and institutions of higher education.