We provide a brief history of how academics and information technology (IT) professionals have come to be on opposing sides in a battle for position, influence and direction within universities. The long-running conflict has shaped different belief systems and resultant values and behaviours that are no longer appropriate nor tolerable if…

This paper highlights the potential of three-dimensional multi-user environments such as "Second Life" (SL) from the perspective of future developments in the service of learning. It notes trends within the SL innovation to date, including the provision of realistic settings, the exploitation of pleasant simulated environments for groups and the…

Discusses reflective practice and suggests that participants in computer-mediated conferencing can be encouraged to engage in reflecting about onscreen experiences with the help of a trained moderator. Provides examples from Open University (United Kingdom) classes and concludes that reflective practice helps participants to learn online and…

Describes and discusses critically a unique experiment called The Business Cafe that used a combination of broadcast television and an interactive Web site to reach people interested in business and management. Outlines the nine broadcasts, which were collaborations between the Open University (United Kingdom) and the BBC (British Broadcasting…