This book takes a new approach to the growing field of e-learning in higher education. It provides an alternative perspective to the 'how to do it' books on e-learning. Instead the authors argue that in order to develop e-learning in the university we need to understand the texts and practices that are involved in learning and teaching using online and web-based technologies. It develops an approach which draws together social and cultural approaches to literacies, learning and technologies, illustrating these in practice through the exploration of case studies. The book will be of particular interest to educational developers who are concerned with the promises offered, but rarely delivered, with each new iteration of learning with technologies.