Learners electronically submit their assignments and the instructors organize and comment on these submissions. We design, develop and then test our software in the field continually and iteratively, to ensure that we are supporting effective learning and building the most powerful environment to support advanced learning principles. We collect data through observations, transcript analysis, interviews, pre and post-use questionnaires, and analysis of Web server log files to track student interactions. Research data indicate that intentional structuring of computer conferences supports active learning and peer interaction. The pattern of communication in a course is fairly equally distributed, thus overcoming biases typical of face to face classes.
Attrition rates are low in the online courses.
Instructors note that collaborating online, in VGroups, helps students to think more critically about their own and the work of others. Instructors note experiencing teacher revitalization , because of the high quality of education that they believe they can facilitate online and the changes to their own teaching practices. Virtual-U. Some are participating in the field research and the developing Global Educators Network. These faculty members who are using Virtual-U are sharing their questions and experiences in designing, teaching, and evaluating online education.