Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, recognized dialogue as the best way to maximize the learning process. Socrates Online is NOT a means of quickly throwing up web pages and canned materials onto the Internet. Students who simply read lectures and assignments from a screen are not actively and personally engaged by their teachers. Students in this stultified environment will quickly tire of reading dated materials from a computer terminal and long for the social interplay of a traditional classroom. This method fosters a rich exchange between student and teacher, between student and student, and between the online class and the vast resources of the Internet which are immediately on hand.
Asynchronous dialogue allows students and their teachers to manage their own learning times.
Students who previously could not take classes due to busy career and family schedules are now freed to enrich themselves and their careers. And, unlike traditional classrooms, where students may be hesitant to participate or are hampered by one or two outspoken students online conferencing allows all students to provide input. Another advantage to online communication is that it allows all students equal time to express themselves. Responses and questions can be written thoughtfully, since the student is able to take his or her time. Since online conversations are, at present, text-based this medium increases the development of writing skills.