Everyone was interested in knowing how this course compared to the traditional classroom. Surprisingly, many things seem to remain the same. The same students that would volunteer to respond in the traditional classroom are probably the same students that volunteered in the videoconferencing classroom. This applied to the listserv. The students responding in the classroom were also the same students responding on the listserv.
Some differences do exist.
Less content coverage occurs using the videoconferencing classroom. The instructor has less personal contact with the students. Two major benefits, however, are that one can reach a greater geographic audience and students learn to be more independent and active learners. It appears that for students to succeed using this way of learning, they must be self motivated, have independent and good study habits, and be just as much a risk taker as the teacher. As with the telephone and television, many individuals were initially skeptical of their use and benefits.