Helping faculty develop new asynchronous learning environments

The author believes that networked computers with the appropriate software can address many of the challenges facing higher education today. These new approaches to learning involve access to asynchronous learning networks (ALN). In an ALN course, students have access to networked learning materials, including interactive course materials, simulations and multimedia, and on-line homework and quizzes. Through the Internet, students also have access to people, including subject matter experts (faculty and teaching assistants) and other students (thereby promoting peer-to-peer interactions). Students can access the learning network asynchronously, at times and locations that are most convenient to them.