Abstract

A threshold concept is similar to “a portal, opening up a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something”, which is a transformed way of understanding without which a student cannot progress (Meyer and Land, 2003). Threshold concepts may be transformative, irreversible, integrative, bounded and troublesome. The ways in which a range of pedagogical approaches used in e-learning, such as Laurillard’s conversational framework, Collis’ U approach and Salmon’s 5 step model, may help students understand threshold concepts are considered. The changing needs of learners, who have grown up in the digital age, are related to learning threshold concepts. Examples of ways in which e-learning which may help students to learn threshold concepts are provided.