Academics in academia : the forgotten resource in the rush to new technologies

Suffice to say that I'm leaving in large part because it's not much fun any more, and the directions of the university are not mine. I'm not the first, and I won't be the last. (Farewell Email from N.M., April 2000) The rush to the use of advanced learning technologies has left many academics dazed and confused. The above excerpt, a direct quotation from a well-respected and admired academic, in many ways prompted the writing of this paper. Why isn’t it much fun any more? What are these new directions currently being explored by many universities, and why are they not viewed favorably by many staff? And how is it possible for universities to explore these new directions, and yet still retain an environment that the majority of academics find professionally rewarding and enjoyable?