TEACHING VIA THE INTERNET

Because the authors recognized that there is a need for a different ap proach to higher education than the traditional means and that the eme rging capabilities of technology might meet that need, they pursued a series of experiments in educational methods. Computer and communicati ons technology have each developed in recent years to offer individual tools that have potential for improving the quality of education. Tog ether, these tools generate a synergy that has even more potential. Me ssages easily composed and transmitted can obviate face-to-face meetin gs in faculty offices. Experts from afar can be drawn into virtual cla ssrooms to stimulate deeper learning from extended interaction. Perfor mance assessments can be collaborative and provided frequently to impr ove performance. Cross-cultural experiences can be shared in real or s imulated encounters with foreign colleagues. In short, there are numer ous techniques that need to be tested and developed to address the kin ds of issues exposed in the Wingspread Report (Brock, 1993).