Participation must be elicited to take advantage of system interactivity and the variety of viewpoints available from participants at different sites. The instructor must adapt presentation style and learning activities to fit within the camera's range of motion. Eye contact must be supplemented with verbal reminders that the instructor is actively engaged with students. Visual materials used in instruction must be designed to be easily viewed, taking advantage of the availability of computer graphics and multimedia. These differences have implications for teachers, students, Site Facilitators, and Site Coordinators.
Distance changes the teacher's role to a more facilitative one.
They act as managers of instruction, creating experiences that take advantage of a new student-teacher dynamic. They design an appropriate learning environment for all sites, preparing materials and active instruction that capitalize on the strengths of the delivery system. They serve as team leader, coordinating the effective delivery of instruction. Site Coordinators and Facilitators have a key role in this new paradigm. In distance learning, presenters are also team leaders who make sure that they express their needs and expectations to other team members who will help to implement them.