Most online learning platforms contain areas such as forums, electronic mailing services, conferencing and chat rooms. Forums and mailing services allow students and instructors to converse through delayed messaging or asynchronous communication. Synchronous communication, such as web conferencing and chatting, enables students and instructors to exchange in real time. Technology such as web cams and headsets enhance the learning environment of synchronous communication, as participants can see and hear each other. Instructors can use these tools to allow discussion among students on subjects related to the course and grade them for the quantity and quality of their participation as well as field questions from students.
Online learning programs make dispensing and uploading assignments electronically easy for instructors and students. Instructors can post assignment instructions online, which students can access immediately. Students can then upload their completed assignment or project through the platform. Students can also send assignments to each other to be peer-edited, a helpful activity in an English or writing class. Alternatively, students can post ideas for papers or case studies online and receive feedback from fellow students.
Instructors can assess students through online learning platforms. These platforms often include areas where instructors can set up a timed quiz that students log in and perform at a certain time. Many programs can automatically grade multiple choice quizzes and reveal a student's score upon completion of the quiz. As these quizzes are timed, instructors can be sure students aren't able to cheat, as students must answer the questions quickly and as they appear.
With an online learning platform, instructors have the web at their fingertips when it comes to instruction. Not only can instructors upload a written version of their lecture, but they can also post a recorded video of themselves lecturing. Instructors can post videos, images, links to helpful websites and scholarly articles in word processing documents or PDF files. Offering more than one option for learning accommodates various learning styles.