Advancement of learning has become a key social, political and economic objective in the global world. Knowledge creation through learning is now an important force not only in empowering individuals and groups, but also in enriching society as a whole. As knowledge production has become diffused throughout society, there have been remarkable changes in the way learning opportunities are created and accessed. No longer does any one institution or group have a monopoly on knowledge.

Virtual universities are forums where knowledge is made available to a large number of students by applying the newest technology. This book raises the important question of how to empower learners in virtual university settings to become active and self-regulated learners. The focus is on theoretical understandings of learning from the viewpoint of the interaction between learners and a technological environment.

The authors of the book are partners in the IQ FORM project, which is developing interactive and adaptive tools for advancing effective and meaningful learning in a virtual university. The multidisciplinary research group includes education, psychology, computing sciences, media culture, and communication and information technology. The book is a description of the initial stage of the project and introduces theoretical frameworks and solutions.