Abstract
This paper suggests that recent changes in higher education, the demands of the knowledge society and an increased need for students to become autonomous, reflective e-learners increases the need for academics to understand the learning process. In order to understand e-learning, teachers need to understand learning as e-learning is embedded in learning. Without an understanding of what learning encompasses, it can be difficult for many academics to develop into good teachers and to promote good e-learning practice. University teachers need to develop a theory of learning and teaching to apply to e-learning scenarios. This paper outlines a program for promoting conceptual change in academics’ approaches to teaching via an understanding of learning and e-learning. A strategy is developed, initially based on IT units, to help extend the approach to other areas. A dissemination and evaluation strategy is also outlined.