It was pointed out that the core of the distance learning course is still a printed text delivered by post and recent research in the U.S. has shown that this is what distance learning consumers want at present. Materials supplementary to written texts can be held on a web site and the internet can be used as an information source.
The impact of on-line learning also alters the role of the tutor in the learning process. Suddenly students are able to communicate with each other and their tutor and the tutor must become a facilitator. Do our tutors have the right skills for this new role? Furthermore, the advent of electronic learning means that students (like all customers) will expect even faster responses.

It is clear that the internet will impact on all areas of our work, from marketing to student service. But not everyone has internet access and we have to cater to different markets and different needs. We need to experiment and move forward to survive, but we should not forget the lessons of the past in our haste to do so.

For me the conference was both stimulating and useful and gave me much to reflect upon. Why not make a date for next year's conference which will be held in Amsterdam from 24-27 May?