This chapter attempts to describe just a few examples of online courses that serve different purposes and audiences.
Online courses vary widely in their designs.
Some courses are conducted totally online without instructor or participants ever meeting. The design of the course might limit or change the nature of who will be attracted to the course, and the potential number of students who might choose to enroll. Understanding the type of audience the course is targeting will be a major factor in its design and schedule. In batch mode, all students begin the course at the same time. With a rolling enrollment, the course is more fully automated, and students can begin and end courses on their own time schedule.