Dr. Ruth Reynard

Indeed, Cindy, however your role as an instructor still remains vital in guiding the organization and application of that information. Have you found ways to do that?

Yes, Christina, discussion boards can expand the interactive opportunities and discussion exchanges for students. The Internet also provides a wealth of information and networking opportunities beyond the classroom and gives the students an opportunity to participate in those networks. This enlarges the scope of any course. If instructors maximize these opportunities, the learning experience can totally change for the student.

Excellent, Mariska, and the more streamlined the experience is between online and on ground, the richer the learning and the more self-directed students become.

Indeed, Virginia. The immediacy of information availability changes the role of teachers dramatically - teachers don't have to worry about providing information as much as guiding the use of that information.

As well as color and creativity, Dave, the interactive white board can help distribute learning and interaction.

Can you be more specific, Dave? What kinds of skills are needed and that can be developed when using new technology?

...and, Richard, this develops a higher skill leele of self-directed learning and overall learner autonomy, which has always been a huge challenge for teachers to develop in students.

Indeed, Mike. The technology itself, however, also presents new ways to process and deliver education, which also brings many changes and opportunities for enrichment and growth. If you think about the different characteristics and functions of the technology and then how the conventional linear flow of teaching and learning took place, you can really appreciate the potential of the creativity and innovation possible.

Yes, the blended approach would suit this scenario well, Richard. That is, the self-directed skills students will need can be developed within a context of reinforcement and support through F2F meetings and exchange.

This is a huge challenge, Jeremy, however, even before digital and Internet technology, students had to learn how to think critically and deeply about their subject area. The challeng is now more obvious but it is still the same challenge for teachers.