Internet: Impact and Potential for Learning and Instruction

The Internet has been a revolution for the modern information society and many areas of everyday life. In the field of learning and instruction, the Internet has had a major influence on how people learn. Advantages of online learning and instruction include the freedom of scheduling learning activities as well as reducing travel time and travel costs for off-campus students and facilitators. Hence, students can study anywhere and anytime as well as study at their own pace. Online learning accommodates different learning preferences and prior knowledge and enables personalized learning environments. This entry first provides an overview of the development of the Internet. The entry then discusses the impact of various Internet applications for learning and instruction and concludes with a look at future educational ...