Development and maintenance of learning materials is easy

• Web-based materials are cheap and quick to produce and need not require a high level of technical expertise.
• These materials can be of very high quality, and can easily incorporate colourful text and graphics.
• As the technology becomes faster, more stable and more sophisticated then sound, video and animations can be exchanged with ease.
• Web materials can be amended, added to and uploaded in minutes ensuring that the content is always accurate, up to date and relevant.
• The materials can be constantly reviewed and revised in the light of student feedback.
• There is no need for the providing institution to reproduce and distribute learning materials.

Online courses are widely accessible

• Computer and Internet technology is becoming cheaper and ownership more widespread.
• There are increasing opportunities for people to get on to the Internet even if they cannot access at home – Internet-linked computers can be found at work, in libraries, in cybercafes and in community centres.
• Students from a wide mix of backgrounds, countries and cultures can take part.

Who are the potential learners?

What sort of students are likely to be attracted to online courses? Well, naturally, they will need to have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet, and they will need the know-how to use it. Most of your students will be those who find it inconvenient or impossible to access a course face to face, and you will certainly find that they are willing to try out studying in a technologically innovative way.

Here is a snapshot of Jim Buchanan who might feel that an online course is for him.

The situation: Jim is a single parent with two daughters both in primary school. He was an unskilled worker in the steel industry but was made redundant. He supplements his small income from state benefits by being the junior school’s lollipop man. He would like to find a full-time job now his daughters are old enough to go to the after-school club.

The problem: Jim’s lollipop job means that he has to be on duty twice a day, and this makes getting to a day course an impossibility. He cannot join an evening class because he hasn’t got anyone to look after his daughters. He needs a job that will give him time off during school holidays. He hasn’t got a computer and he can’t afford one.

The solution: Jim finds out that there is an online course that could train him as a classroom assistant. The school his children attend is keen on parental involvement and the headteacher agrees that he can access the school’s computer. He will ‘pay’ for this privilege by going into the school once a week to help with reading. This will also provide him a with additional relevant experience.