Key Issues in Web-Based Education in the Human Services: A Review of the Literature

SUMMARY The literature on Web-based education reflects a paradigm shift as hundreds of colleges and universities are offering online courses. This paper provides an overview of the current literature on Web-based education, including frameworks for analysis. Key publications on Web-based education in social work and human services are presented. Attention is given to the theoretical perspectives relevant to Web-based education such as adult learning theories and the shift to a constructivist approach. This paper concludes with a discussion on related issues such as evaluation, leadership, emotional aspects of Web-based instruction, and teaching practice skills through Web-based technology.