Electronic mail order for distance learning

Distance learning is established as a way of self-improvement for those who cannot devote their full-time attention to study. Each student has to organise and schedule their activities in order to make study time, whether they are in full-time employment or bound to the home with family responsibilities. When a course of study uses a computer as part of its requirement, it introduces more complexity for the student, who now has to consider the installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the course software. How can the connection to a computer network help, when there are cost and access issues that affect students? Direct access for a student may be acceptable on a campus, yet a part-time student must consider, for example, the cost of such connections and their availability. Students require a simple interface that: is easy to install and operate, allows them to schedule their own responses, is accessible from different places, yet has a minimal technical requirement and demand on their finances. They require a consistent service, even though they may be far away from the provider of such services. The concept of active electronic mail, combined with a workflow process based upon object technology, enables the dispatch of study and assessment material, which has been purpose-wrapped for distance learning. This makes use the familiar metaphor of mail order to provide goods and services on a transaction basis that has clear implications for costing