Developing skills in online teaching: the Web as a constructivist medium for staff development

After considerable investments in technology in education, the adoption rate by academics is often surprisingly low. With the mainstreaming of online learning an increasing number of academics will be expected to take on the role of online teacher but most have little or no formal education in this area. Staff development is critical. Traditional forms of staff development have some limitations. Web sites designed for staff development often mimic traditional, linear forms of teaching. However, the Web offers opportunity to develop learner-centred staff development activities that use and model a constructivist approach to learning and overcome some of the problems associated with traditional staff development activities.