The Learning Technology Centre is the focus for Heriot-Watt University's educational research which received a 3a rating in the 1996 Research Assessment Exercise. This reflects an approach where research is seen to complement development and dissemination. The importance of evaluation and the role that computers have in actively linking material with communication.
Research is seen as a route to useful tools to help learning occur.
Output from earlier work has included a report on methods to ensure usability and the development of the AnswerWeb tool. Simulations have proven effective tools for students learning but can be difficult to build, use as teaching tools and to reuse at other sites. Multiverse is examining each of these issues while building its toolkit to allow models to be delivered over the web. We are particularly concerned with the final users for such a system and the opportunities that it gives to learners and teachers.