| While the mechanics of teaching don't ever change | | | | class may depend on the Visible Human Project as its |
| from decade to decade, the method of delivery | | | | primary subject, for instance, and a music history class |
| sometimes does. In the most recent decade, online | | | | may use online sound files. Teachers used to the older |
| classrooms have displaced many more traditional | | | | delivery method of broadcast distance learning classes |
| classrooms, and they have easily surpassed distance | | | | may prefer to use the Internet in this manner as well, |
| learning broadcasts. The remarkable flexibility of the | | | | sending streaming video out to students at fixed times |
| Internet's two-way communication systems - the way | | | | and interacting with them in real time. |
| it easily lends itself to group interaction or one-on-one | | | | Many teachers are using podcasting and video |
| communication - has revolutionized the way we think | | | | podcasting as well. This gives them a convenient |
| about education. | | | | platform for delivery, and their students a convenient |
| Traditional classrooms are teacher-centered learning | | | | way to look at files offline if they wish. |
| spaces. The desk is in the front, or in a central place, | | | | Students add value to the class through a variety of |
| and students are encouraged to learn primarily from | | | | interactions: forum communities for discussions, group |
| the instructor. Online classrooms completely change | | | | chat, private and group email, and VoIP services. All |
| that model. The online classroom is centered on each | | | | these interactions give students a way to discuss |
| individual student, and while the teacher is still the | | | | classwork directly, making it simple to maintain that |
| primary imparter of knowledge, the students learn | | | | value-added community experience of traditional |
| from one another nearly as much. Using tools like email, | | | | classrooms. |
| chat, and forums, communication is made both | | | | Advantages for student and teacher are many and |
| accessible and recallable, making note-taking less | | | | varied. Students and teachers can be anywhere in the |
| important than being able to mark key points. | | | | world and still participate in the same virtual classroom. |
| Truly excellent online classrooms incorporate a wide | | | | Classwork is recorded digitally, and can be accessed |
| variety of technologies to educate students. The most | | | | at any time. If a student is sick, it's simple to catch up |
| basic is the ordinary web page. It can be designed as | | | | with the rest of the class again. And a single talented |
| a textbook, or it can be used as a daily lecture delivery | | | | teacher is able to teach a large class, much larger than |
| platform. With a little extension from javascript, it can | | | | the class they'd be able to teach in a physical |
| be used to administer self-tests or real tests. And it | | | | classroom setting. |
| serves as the delivery mechanism for the other | | | | Provided student and teacher have access to the |
| teaching technologies. | | | | required technology (a computer and internet access |
| Charts, embedded video, and slideshows can be | | | | at the minimum), online classrooms can be a feasible |
| incorporated into the online classroom to support the | | | | alternative to physical classrooms, or a valuable |
| teacher's rhetorical lessons. In some classes, the | | | | extension of physical classrooms. |
| multimedia included can get quite complex: an anatomy | | | | |