However, graphic production and video editing are complex tasks and require the expertise and time of a graphic artist or video production staff. Creating simple presentations with PowerPoint or similar software is not technically complex, but it can be time consuming. This case does not preclude the use of asynchronous media, such as e-mail or the Web. While videoconferencing is a synchronous medium and requires that both faculty and students be at a certain location at the same time, participants can also send and receive messages via e-mail or look at materials on the Web site of the course, regardless of the time of the videoconference. A department decides to put a series of courses, comprising a certificate program, online.
Faculty involved in the project decide to adopt a commercial course development tool.
They contact the manufacturer or vendor and find out that in addition to the server software, they have to pay a licensing fee for each student who takes the course. Given their limitations in time and personnel, they decide to adopt the product and factor the cost of licensing it into the tuition students pay to take the course. A faculty interface, through which faculty can add course materials, participate in live chats with students, and contribute to the course forum. Also, they can track student progress, post student grades, and review a database of student information, including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, short bios, and pictures. An administrator interface, through which the department chair can keep track of course participants, make sure they meet course requirements, and review progress they have made.