They see multimedia presentations, evaluate examples of the latest education software from CD-ROM, and learn to search the Internet for educationally relevant resources. Other students choose to work away from class, at home, or at other campus computer sites. Using the course's comprehensive web site, they are able to access the semester schedule, course content, assignment guidelines, and examples, as well as numerous links to web sites of interest to the class. Most students choose to use a combination of the available learning opportunities, according to their particular needs. Clearly, communication is vital with so many students learning in an unknown number of locales.
Instructors are able to communicate with students in three main ways.
First, students are able to post messages to one of three bulletin boards located on the course's web site. Questions about course requirements, inquiries regarding professional topics in education, and general announcements can be posted and responded to in a non-threatening forum. Instructors and other students can respond for all to see, thus increasing the dispersion of information. The course instructors also maintain a listserve, where announcements pertinent to the whole group can be sent to everyone at once. Finally, instructors are available through e-mail whenever students have individual concerns.