Integration of Didactic Hypermedia Materials into Virtual Learning Spaces: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the importance of communication processes in open and distance learning, the existing theory of distance learning has paid little attention to the field of communication theory.

This paper explores the ties between these two fields in depth, in an effort to advance the development of an open theory that recognizes the uniqueness of learning in virtual classrooms and contributes to the future development of teaching materials in hypermedia space.

An analysis of the literature, combined with an empirical study of one case, make clear that the professor's training and experience in the use of media technologies play a critical role in the success of the teaching. This is not so much due to the professor's technical abilities, as to their ability to adapt the teaching strategy to the medium.

If we look at the situation from the student's perspective, once the necessary technology is readily available, a large obstacle becomes evident: a lack of the skills needed to complete reflective and investigative assignments in media other than paper. This points to the necessity of training students in the methods and techniques of study appropriate for virtual settings.

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