How are the on-line courses taught?
On-line courses are offered by asynchronous, computer-mediated communication. From their home, workplace, or other convenient location, students use a personal computer (either MacOS or Windows-based) equipped with a modem or a direct Internet connection to connect with instructors and participants from across the country. On-line courses may use manuals, textbooks, case histories, problems, computer software, databases, Web sites, evaluation activities, and other sources of information – but there are no lectures. Instructors and students work through the material together, discussing topics and issues by using a computer network that allows for private messages and group discussions. Courses are structured, but not conducted in real time; therefore, students can access the class at times during the day or night that are most convenient to them. Teacher Quote The discussions, in a bulletin board format, really gave me a sense of being in class. The level of sharing of ideas far exceed
