People sign up for online courses for many reasons. Virtual learning is ideal for those who live far from traditional colleges or universities, as well as parents who can't take the time to attend nightly or weekly classes. Corporate training programs also are popular. But while the convenience of virtual classrooms is not in question, the lack of interaction among classroom participants has raised the eyebrows of educators such as Columbia's Levine. Virtual-learning advocates, on the other hand, argue that educators must learn how to exploit Internet technology to make it fit the classroom.
Online courses use message boards and chat rooms to fuel discussion.
Students also can send e-mail to instructors and to each other. These methods of communication are not only adequate, but in some ways, they are better than traditional methods of classroom interaction, UMUC's Myers says. Although adults make up the largest audience for virtual learning, some programs target younger students. Educational institutions are not the only ones hoping to capitalize on the virtual-learning market. Hungry Minds hosts courses submitted by Internet companies and corporations, as well as institutions of higher learning such as Penn State and Seton Hall.