Distance learning meets Open Source or Future-oriented Distance Learning from the point of view of a practician

Most of the current German concepts for distance learning are still based on written study material with complementary face-to-face sessions. Modern e-learning tools are not as frequently in use as one might think or as it is often demanded. This article focuses on the obstacles that occur in the daily work with e-learning tools and which hinder the further spreading of e-learning on college level. One of the main problems is that study material as well as concepts have to be transformed in a way that makes sense in terms of multimedia and didactics. This requires a lot of time, energy and thus money. One approach in overcoming these obstacles might be the use of networks which are a key component of the Open Source movement.