There are other online applications that this course so far has not focused on. Email isn't the only way to receive assignments. In online classes for years now, there are often "drop boxes" for assignments and areas to return edited assignments or to post comments. It works better with a small class, but I have both taught and been a student online where everyone could talk.
This section of this course seems to want to focus on the idea that pretty much things that are done in a traditional classroom can likely be done online as well.
