IT-based open learning: tasks & tools

This paper arises from early work in the ‘Just-in-Time Open Learning’ (JITOL) project supported by the European Commission in its DELTA Programme. It attempts to do the following things: provide a description of IT-based open learning, identify a number of the key tasks carried out by the main participants in an IT-based open learning environment, and review tools that can be used to support these tasks. The paper draws on several years experience of IT-based distance teaching and on some user requirements studies. Some ideas are presented about user trials to be conducted in the second main phase of the JITOL project.