In other words, on-line education is about students and not educational institutions. With a single word search, a student can find the description of the course. With the click of a button, they can register, and with a little more mouse action, they can contact a career counselor, academic advisor, faculty member, dean and even a president. Further, the Internet classes are far from sterile. Multimedia simulations enhance the student's learning, particularly when students can control the information flow and investigate the avenues they choose.
Technology provides 'high tech and high touch' opportunities as well.
Generally, host institutions structure their technology to allow students to hold on-line discussions with colleagues, instructors and advisors. Traditional community colleges are close to home, affordable, and focus on the needs of the student. The same can be said of on-line community colleges. For a student who is outside the US, but who is hoping to pursue an American education, unable to actually travel to the US, beginning at an American community college on-line is an ideal way to determine their comfort level with the style of American education. At the same time, it's quite affordable.