An online environment is different from a face-to-face on-campus classroom. What are the major differences?

• Students do not attend scheduled classes, so each student is responsible for planning and participating in learning activities, such as assignments, online chats. and the like.
• Students and instructors are unable to rely upon the nonverbal cues -like worried looks, furrowed brows, smiles, head nods, and the like - typically used to determine whether a receiver has understood the communication. So, both students and instructors must carefully compose messages and be sure to ask for clarification and feedback when needed.
• In online classes, nearly all communication is written, so students must feel comfortable both in expressing themselves in writing and with reading the work of others.
• Online course communication is largely anonymous. So, students can all freely participate without being intimidated due to stereotypes or being upstaged by others.