Many institutions worldwide are responding to emerging information and communication technologies by adopting web-based education and training. Within the context of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Australia, the effort to support web-based education and training focuses primarily on online pedagogy, which is seen to be at the heart of successful teaching and learning online. This paper briefly outlines a conceptual framework for student learning consisting of three models: the independent learnec the interactive learner and the collaborative learner. All three models need to be considered in an integrated manner when designing online instruction. The paper provides an analysis of the literature in order to determine the variables that influence learner diversity, with a particular focus on cultural diversity. It is suggested that the integration of models of student learning into web-based instructional design will accommodate learner diversity educators face in a global environment.