Faculty concern for students is equally important. Communication technologies such as e-mail, threaded discussion web sites, project management software, and computer conferencing allow students increased access to faculty members and shared information repositories. The same technologies can also reduce the time delay in asynchronous communication. Communication technologies can be especially helpful for students who may be shy or from different cultures or when discussing controversial or sensitive material. For many students and faculty, communicating electronically is more intimate, protected, spontaneous, and convenient than traditional forms of communication.
Good practice develops reciprocity and cooperation among students.
Interaction between and among students improves thinking and increases understanding. Just as technology can increase interactions between students and faculty, it can also be used to foster communication with fellow students. Technology allows for spontaneous collaboration, even when students are not physically together. Far from being cold, electronic communication allows for the inclusion of humor, creativity, and the exchange of personal information and requests and offers of assistance. Additionally, if two courses have complementary or overlapping content, technology can help facilitate communication between the students in both courses.