Second, students don't like to look stupid in front of their peers, much less the entire world. When they know that their work can be seen by friends and strangers both locally and worldwide, they take it more seriously. The Web never needs a break or a holiday, although it does occasionally go on strike. If you create some sort of hybrid course where the schedule requires students to use the Web at a particular place and time, I will personally guarantee that you will be embarrassed and your students will be frustrated. You must design flexibility into your course assignments and deadlines in order to avoid this.
Students love being able to work at their own place and pace.
I have discovered that the less I deliver in a traditional mode the higher my student ratings go. I like to believe that this means they prefer virtual delivery methods. There are over 130 million telecommuters worldwide and it is estimated that nearly half of all jobs could be done, at least partially, by telecommuting. Those numbers will continue to grow because telecommuting is economically, psychologically, and environmentally superior to crowding everyone into one place at the same time. This point is equally true for students as for workers.