Summary

e-Learning has a vital role to play in strengthening New Zealand's tertiary education system and helping it to better meet the needs of learners.

Internet-based technology is changing the way that providers can connect with one another and their learners. New patterns of teaching and learning are beginning to emerge in New Zealand with many institutions keen to explore the flexibility and responsiveness that e-learning can deliver. Digital resources such as course websites, virtual classrooms, self-assessment tools and online chat forums are transforming the learning experience. Tertiary institutions are entering into new and promising collaborative arrangements.

This new momentum is just a beginning. However the challenge now is to create a national e-learning framework which ensures that e-learning is accessible, relevant and of high quality. Developments must be driven by sound pedagogy, not simply by advances in technology.

Creating the Interim Tertiary e-Learning Framework is another important milestone in achieving an effective e-learning environment. The Framework outlined in this document has been developed by the Ministry of Education in consultation with Government agencies and the tertiary sector. The National Library cosponsored the project.

The Interim Tertiary e-Learning Framework sets out:

• a shared vision of what e-learning can achieve
• a set of agreed guiding principles
• seven key action areas that are essential to the development of sector capability.

The implementation of this Framework will be done in partnership with key stakeholders and in alignment with the Government's Tertiary Education Strategy 2002–2007 and the Tertiary Information Strategy. e-Learning figures prominently in both these strategies as a means of strengthening the capacity of the tertiary sector and improving access to quality learning.

New Zealand is not alone in facing these challenges. e-Learning is a major global trend and New Zealand is competing in an increasingly borderless education market. New Zealand must carve out its own niche in the increasingly competitive e-learning market.