E-Learning: The Hype and the Reality

This paper considers the increasing impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the associated rise in e-learning as a recognised and respected re s e a rch area. The paper provides a summary of some of the curre n t re s e a rch areas under investigation and provides a list of characteristics of the are a . The paper goes on to consider the professional identities of re s e a rchers in the are a and the tensions which have resulted in terms of aligning with this new emergent g roup of professionals within existing institutional stru c t u res.