1. Background Report Ala Lesuma Fatiaki & Louise Vakamocea

2. Introduction - Movie

3. The Distance Teaching Context Approximately half of the University’s 15,000 students choose to study by DFL. Print materials & multimedia components supported by tutorials – (f2f, audio video and online). Tutors are based either on-site or off-site. Predominantly undergraduate with a growing postgraduate emphasis. Course content strives to adapt relevant Pacific Island examples.

4. The primary pedagogical approaches to teaching Ideally constructivist approaches are encouraged through the design of the learning materials. Both tutors and students tend to resort to behaviorist approaches of teaching and learning.

5. Primary Technologies in use Print – Predominantly used Online – confined largely to use of an LMS (Moodle) Satellite-based Audio/Video conferencing – used largely for tutorial support CD/DVD – Interactive CD-ROMs

6. Current Research Activities Usefulness of DVD technology in enhancing learning. Moodle Evaluation. Web-based Learning at USP: Models & Modes. Pacific eLearning Observatory. Audiographics Research. DFL Multimedia Action Research. Maximising the benefits of ICT/Multimedia in the South Pacific: Cultural Pedagogy and Usability Factors.

7. Limitations & Challenges Finances and Planning. Infrastructure. Human Resources. Logistics. Culture. –Regional Diversity –Institutional Pedagogy and good practice.