Increasing opportunities to communicate and collaborate Course discussion groups, email and chat programs increase the options for communication among students and between students and instructors. Those tools also allow communication with content experts outside the class or students in other parts of the country or world and provide a broader audience for student writing and exhibits of student projects. Interactive tools requiring student input and offering corrective feedback give students a better understanding of their own level of knowledge and keep them focused on the areas where they need the most work. At the same time, it makes it possible for faculty to offer online instruction in lieu of or in addition to class meetings. Students would have increased opportunities to study abroad if they could complete key courses in their programs online while they are out of the country.
Students enter courses with different educational backgrounds and learning styles.
New technologies are especially valuable in responding to these differences. Some online journals allow readers to choose their reading level, selectively choose examples or background information and send questions directly to the author. Materials incorporating audio, video, simulated experiments and visual representations of concepts reach students who learn best through different senses. Instructional technology can give students greater control over the pacing of learning activities or multiple opportunities to practice. Building student skills for future learning and work By using technology in course activities, students can develop their skills in finding, analyzing and presenting data.