This paper addresses three components deemed important for inclusion in every online learning resource. The three components under review are metacognition, feedback and schematic frameworks. Metacognition serves as a critical function of the learning process. Feedback buries new learning into long-term memory by enabling students to continually…

Distance education and web-based courses are mainstream in the United States higher education and growing (NCES, 2003) involving over 80% of four year public universities in 2002. The National Academy of Science review of "how people learn" suggests that technology-mediated learning can be used to respond to students' preferences and…