This paper reports on two research projects, one completed and a partial follow-up study in the early stages of investigation. The first study investigated a range of factors that directly affect the quality of web-supported learning opportunities. The outcome of that study is a taxonomy of critical success factors for quality web-supported learning based on six categories: institutional factors, technical factors, pedagogical factors, instructional design factors, lecturer factors and student factors. The new study takes as starting point one of the categories of the taxonomy, namely lecturer factors. Using appropriate media effectively should be seen as part of the development of personal and teaching proficiencies. However the literature reveals that there remain various barriers to academics adopting learning technologies as a matter of course in their practice and that the uptake of institutional e-learning systems remains in the hands of enthusiasts. Academics need to be supported in investigating the use of appropriate technology to enhance and expand their teaching practices. A research study is underway at Oxford University (UK) to determine the level of uptake of the virtual learning environment, as well as the barriers and limitations that academic staff encounter in moving forward along the technology adoption curve (Moore, 1999).