Sober thoughts on multimedia based distance learning

This contribution sets out, with general observations on distance learning, and with identifying the fundamental difference between learning at presence or from a distance, which is essentially decoupling of teaching and learning in time and speed. Then, experiences with developing and employing multimedia material in distance teaching are presented, covering the phases of initial euphoria and subsequent disillusion. Realising that the use of development tools may be counterproductive, a pragmatic approach to developing multimedia courses under tight financial and labour constraints is outlined. It is concluded that students value simple things, that content is much more important than appearance, and that computers and multimedia must be used in a very thoughtful way in order not to be detrimental to the educational process.