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.
Good practice uses active learning techniques.
Students learn best when they talk, write, reflect, relate, and apply their learning. Many technologies support and encourage active learning techniques. Students can gain active experience in fields such as statistics, where technology serves as a tool. Technology can also be used to test mathematical models and to bring real world examples directly to the students. The World Wide Web can be used as a supplement to field trips.