ABSTRACT
As the world has been ushered into an information age in which technology plays a major role, societal institutions have been affected on all levels. The educational institution has especially been impacted as educators, administrators, and policy makers have sought to make the most effective use of the tools of technology. One changing paradigm is the role of distance learning in education, and in particular, the evolution of asynchronous learning networks. The changing complexion of the college student population, from full-time students in their early twenties to that of more mature students who negotiate school responsibilities with those of jobs and families, justifies universities’ transitioning to the asynchronous method of course delivery. Students reap the benefits in terms of convenience, but some question whether asynchronous computer-mediated learning is an effective replacement for face-to-face collaboration and if student learning is compromised with this mode of instruction. This paper will briefly discuss the cost of instituting online courses and then explore how these courses can be used to foster a rich collaborative learning environment and classroom community. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <https://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
