ABSTRACT
The previous chapters focused on the physical environment. Ideally the physical environment is carefully set up for the users of that environment to learn. All learning has learners involved and usually instructors. The main users, or clients as some prefer, are the learners. The instructors are equally important as gatekeepers and as the custodians of much that has been designed; they are the managers of the learning situation. There is obviously a difference in the relative importance of these actors, so that in independent learning the instructors are much less obvious, almost backstage or supporting actors, whereas in conventional teaching they may become centre stage. These relative roles are the focus of this chapter. It is not sufficient for the designers to specify the roles of instructors and learners. It is also essential to find out the expectations of the principal actors and to design the learning to enable them to accept any changes in their roles. The way in which learning resources are to be used defines the roles of the learners and instructors in the learning environment.
