However the effort required is very significant. It is a major issue for all universities to develop some policy statement on quality of WWW materials. Whatever is decided, the result can have major implications on the enthusiasm and creativity of staff. WWW pages that make good and innovative use of the WWW require the freedom to be creative. However teaching may improve significantly, particularly if serious reflection occurs while creating WWW material.
Some universities take teaching into account when promotion is considered.
The use of the WWW in teaching may then prove to have been very helpful. If a university wishes to improve teaching, then appropriate rewards are a necessary part of the process. The culture of 'publish or perish' is a serious handicap to improving standards of teaching. Dependence on Programmers For most academics, the need to do research and publish means that they do not have the time to produce excellent WWW materials. As a result, it is possible for the academic to expect too much and not give the guidance that only an experienced teacher can give.