ABSTRACT
The introduction of the World Wide Web several years ago presented many exciting opportunities and challenges for learning institutions. In the dot-com heyday, some described scenarios where all training would occur online and brick-and-mortar institutions would at best consolidate to a best of breed. Just as e-Toys did not replace Toys-R-Us in the commercial world, e-learning has not replaced traditional delivery methods. However, just as commercial retail stores offer Web-based access to their products and services, many institutions have moved to the Web for delivering courses at varying levels because it offers convenience, lower cost, and the ability to deliver to nontraditional learners. Web-based learning options now range from assisting traditional courses (gradebook, discussion forums, etc.) to delivering complete, online degree programs with minimal or no same-place student-instructor interactions.
