Welcome to a blog on the challenges, opportunities and the complexities of teaching and learning in open, distance and e-learning contexts

Teaching and learning in open, distance and e-learning contexts are very different from teaching and learning in more traditional settings such as residential higher education or workplace training.

While there is a convergence between different teaching and learning environments due to the impact of technology; open, distance and e-learning environments open up spaces for a critical reflection on the changing roles of educators and learners in a digital, networked un-flat world.

While this blog will explore different elements regarding teaching and learning in open, distance and e-learning contexts, my identity as blogger is shaped by my specific context in an open distance learning higher education institution on the African continent.

I cannot and do not want to claim that my reflections have universal validity for all open, distance and e-learning irrespective of context. I firmly believe that context shapes our teaching and learning approaches in profound ways.

What is valid or effective in one context may not be appropriate or effective in another.