Learning in Desktop Video-Conferencing Environments

Luleå University of Technology has since 1997 been using net-based learning environments based on desktop video-conferencing tools to distribute courses to students. It has previously been claimed that such environments give remotely and traditionally attending students equal possibilities to take an active part of a course, in addition to enhancing the learning experience for all students. This is in part true, but in reality there are many pedagogical and technical obstacles to overcome before a course can be seen as successful. This paper identifies a number of problems, which will be considered from both a pedagogical and technical perspective.