Using student learning needs to guide elearning development now and in the future

This paper examines how eLearning sites can be designed to meet learners’ needs. After a brief overview of types of learning, we explore the diversity that online learning needs to cater for. Explicit recognition needs to be given to diversity in students’ characteristics, diversity in the learning contexts they will be in, as well as diversity of teachers’ approaches to and beliefs about teaching and learning. We then develop a model of how different student learning needs can be supported by the various functions of online learning. This will allow readers to understand how the various components of an online learning site, such as information areas, interactive tutorials, quizzes, and access to threaded discussions and chat can support learning for more students most effectively. The model is designed so that as new technologies emerge, they can easily be integrated into the model, and this is illustrated by reference to mobile technologies. Copyright © 2005 The Association for Advancement of Computing in Education.