Ricerche in corso

Abstract

The main objective of the project is that of identifying effective tools for on line distance learning. It can be set in two of the research lines carried out at the Department for Educational Design: innovation, design and teaching and learning methodologies; models and procedures of online distance learning. In the particular moment of transition distance learning is experiencing today, it seems essential to start research procedures aiming at assessing the effectiveness of the solutions in use, observing, collecting objective data on the impact that their use implies and taking into account teaching and learning models at the basis. The analysis of the above researches, in fact, can give the direction to take to reach improvement and quality. One of the main problem we are facing at the moment is that of a general lack of researches in the field of distance learning at Higher Education, in particular. We are overwhelmed by new solutions rarely supported by adequate pedagogical designs. In an article dated 2003, Zhang and Nunamer, revising the state of the art of research in e-learning, highlighted some critical points in e-learning systems in use and remarked that there has been little research towards building theoretical guidance for effective multimedia-based e-learning. Besides the impression that the sort of language used here to define innovative distance learning is essentially descriptive and, one more time, structural interpretation seems missing, lack of research in the field is strongly highlighted. Even if seven years have passed since the date of publication of the above article, present situation does not seem very different. If we consider what has been realized in recent times, as regards teaching and learning innovation, not so much can be mentioned. The Five Stages Model for