Yet without the interaction, the university still issues the degree. Online training, properly designed and administered, can actually improve the level of discussion and understanding of a topic. Given the nature of the technology, these discussions can be included as part of the syllabus, and participation can be graded, thus enhancing this aspect of the learning process. Other potential benefits of online training are improved learning, and current information. There is little benefit to simply displaying a text book over the Internet, however thoughtful use of multimedia and interactive techniques can improve the learning process.
Results can include faster learning, better comprehension, and improved recall.
This leaves both instructors and students more time for discussion, whether online or face to face. The world around us is changing much faster than new textbooks can be written and published. Calculus, Newtonian Physics, and World War II have not changed much in recent decades, so currency is not an issue. But the practical application of what we learn in these subjects changes daily. Online training permits the instructor to develop and maintain course materials throughout the year, and changes are available to students immediately.