Teaching information management via a web‐based course

The unique features of the web, such as hypertext and hypermedia, the large number of web sites with good quality information sources, current developments in electronic commerce, and the developments in digital publishing, are variables working together to provide a fascinating environment wherein diverse teaching and learning experiences can be developed. However, to be successful, courses should be carefully planned. In an environment where more and more tertiary and other institutions are embarking on distance learning programmes, a formal tertiary course can only succeed if it addresses a niche market. Furthermore, if the full advantage of the Internet and the web is to be utilised, the demands on the resources of the specific teaching unit, that is human as well as technical resources, are extremely high. Carefully worked‐out policies and managerial discipline are prerequisites in an environment where successful distance learning courses are being offered. The Postgraduate Diploma in Information Management (PDIM), implemented at the Rand Afrikaans University since 1998, is described as an example of a successful web‐based distance learning programme.