The virtual modality is just as much a reality as the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic modalities. Some of our students learn best in the virtual environment because they are more engaged there than anywhere else. The catch is the assumption that the virtual environment and its independence provides an easier path to knowledge. It does not. Online courses certainly have their place and make the world smaller. The net value of any online course, though, is whether or not the learner brings a new skill set to their face-to-face interaction with other humans. There needs to be a balance. Online courses are a tool just as a hands-on lab or a Socratic seminar. There is no easy path to knowledge. The work must be done and self-discipline must be present.
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