E-learning in Distance Education - Towards Supporting the Mobile Learner

This paper outlines some of the developments and experiences with e-learning at the distance teaching University of Hagen. Evaluation about the impact of e-learning clearly showed that students consider this to be a dramatic improvement of their quality of learning and the ways they can integrate learning into their work and private life. The paper then describes the research and development work towards the support of the mobile student. As the majority of students are part-time, there is a need to extend access to the learning space to the "mobile user", for instance during trips or unforeseen waiting situations. The support of the mobile learner is very challenging, as not only technical issues have to be solved (mobile devices vary a lot and differ from computers in many respects), but also the current situation of the student must be taken into account.