Hypertext Links to Learning: Roadblocks and Obstacles along the Information Super Highway

Abstract

Educational research has reported a multitude of goals for academic institutions of higher education. Specific academic goals focus in various directions. A common theme permeates throughout mission statements, strategic planning documents, and planning committees objectives. That is, to provide an enhanced environment in which students will become actively engaged in the process of learning, achieve their highest possible level of understanding of scientific and theoretical concepts, and develop a sense of ownership of the knowledge that they create. The accessibility of the World Wide Web to students creates a virtual learning environment that facilitates the construction of scholarly activities without traditional restrictions of time, geographic limitations, and facilitates expedience of data collection. This article addresses the five fundamental obstacles faced by students and faculty as they attempt to achieve goals of academic institutions via Web-based support and instruction.