Reactions to the training program were interesting. Most students were keen to use the Internet, and others saw little point in it but quickly became enthusiastic. The Internet provides teachers with a great opportunity to converse with students on equal terms about a topic the student knows and the teacher does not. The speed of the Internet can be a major problem during limited lesson time slots. Response times can be long, and downloading large data files or graphics can be time-consuming.
Students prefer to be in control and make the choice about whether to see a graphic.
When students are motivated, working remotely is satisfactory. As for the benefits of classroom interaction, students can think through their replies, have written transcripts of what has been said, do not feel judged by their appearance, and can participate when they are most ready instead of when the class is scheduled. A student Web-page project has many objectives. Before students even begin creating the page, they must determine the topic, audience, main content, and details. That mirrors the writing process in many ways.