Thanks for the kind introduction, Sylvia.
It is great to have the chance to be able to discuss some of the issues that I've felt passionately enough about to write about in my book.
I am grateful for the opportunity!
Of course the issues that I am most intensively concerned with is identified in the book's title (and in Sylvia's first question): What is e-learning research? How is it thought of, and why might it need to be re-thought?
I look at this question in the introductory chapter of my book (available online in the links provided). And I (try to) make the case that e-learning research is not or should not be one thing to all people. The main topics that are brought together in the phrase "e-learning research" include learning (and education), technology (the e- in e-learning) and knowledge and knowing (research). These are all pretty weighty, and don't necessarily add up to the same things for all viewpoints and interests concerned with e-learning.
At the same time, though, the meanings of "e-learning research" are not entirely a matter of arbitrary points of view. Education, learning, technology and research itself have all been written about extensively, and there are well-formulated conceptions of how they interconnect.
But I've said enough thus far. I'm looking forward to what others might have to say, ask about or comment on...
See you soon!
-Norm