Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Research objectives 1.3 Research questions 1.4 Assumptions 1.5 Overview of the thesis Chapter 2 Literature Review 2.1 Computer's influence on education 2.2 Ecology and its development 2.3 Concept of ecosystem 2.4 The structure of ecosystem 2.5 The ecological model of e-learning 2.6 The teacher's ecological niche in the ecosystem of e-learning Chapter 3 Methods of Inqmry 3.1 Selection of participants 3.2 Research design 3.3 Data collection procedures 3.4 Data analysis 3.5 Establishing trustworthiness Chapter 4 Results and Analysis 4.1 Difficulties students meet in e-learning 4.2 Functions of the teacher in e-learning 4.3 Communicative methods in e-learning 4.4 Qualities of the teacher in e-learning 4.5 A summary of the results Chapter 5 Discussion and Recommendations 5.1 Discussion 5.2 Recommendations Chapter 6 Conclusion 6.1 A summary of the study 6.2 Significance 6.3 Limitations 6.4 Future directions List of Appendices Appendix A Questionnaire for Online Students in BIOE Appendix B Questionnaire for Online Teachers in BIOE Appendix C Interview Questions for Students Appendix D Interview Questions for Teachers References