Online Learning: An Educational Development Perspective

The book highlights the inadequate attention given to pedagogical frameworks and educational development perspectives in discussions about online learning. It reviews the apparent "technology over drive" in higher education agendas that are influenced by corporate greed rather than by pedagogical need. The author encourages a balanced focus on the use of technology in learning. Technologies, when carefully selected to add value to learning and to provide learners with alternative media to engage in learning, are expected to enhance learning. If embedded technologies do not enhance the learning experience, we have to question their inclusion in learning design. From this perspective, online learning embraces pedagogy as a framework and key focus; and supports the inclusion of technology as an additional component to enhance learning.