I beleive you can have both aspects, the convenience of online and the connecting with people aspect. I facilitate an online program which uses a combination of synchronus and asynchronus learning tools.
Centra, which is synchronous allows students to connect from across the state online, in real time. We look at critical questions using breakout room where students facilitate a group- a bit like groups brainstorming and then feeding back comments to the larger. I take student to website to research information and share documents. ts and EdNA online is a web based platform. it is asynchronus and has facilitites such as chat room, resourses weblinks forums, quiz tools and blogs. students are able to submit assessment electronically onto EdNA. I find the combination works well and the feedback freom students has been positive. I believe the time factor is what is important for a lot of my students, who are adults mostly women studing child care and may have a full time job as a home person with a family and children, some even work outside of the home as well.

I agree with M. Mollenhauer & B. Backus. There needs to be physical, human interaction when taking a class. The whole experience of attending a University is sadly taken for granted now. As to comment on statement 14....What's wrong with having to get up at a certain time for class? School & an education should have priority over those things that can wait...such as partying, going out on the town, shopping for a date on Friday night.

I have taken on line classes and have not found that all of these statements are true. I found that it was read the book answer the questions and do research. I found I did not get to know the professor at all and the chats were just repeating what was read or viewed on a video. I did not get to know the other students, they were faceless names. The only benefit was that I could do the class work at midnight if I felt like it. I think a whole generation is missing out on the valuable interactions that go on inside a classroom.

Yes, all of the reasons appear to valuable and definitely in favor of supporting the learner's schedule and style, BUT WHAT ABOUT REAL RELATIONSHIPS. We learn so much about ourselves in the context of interactions, challenges and affirmations from others. I believe that the Internet has taken away so much of the personalization and learning of life.