Lectures are delivered in person at a specific time. A slide show presentation or notes may be available afterward, but the lecture itself can’t be re-created.

Lectures are delivered as Web pages (within the course), attached documents, slide show presentations, or other media. These materials are often available at students’ convenience and for review at any point during the semester.

In many class sessions, a few students participate more than the others. Students might be expected to facilitate discussions. Each discussion is a one-time event; the exact situation and content can’t be re-created.

Typically, students are required to contribute to discussions and read their peers’ comments. Students might be expected to facilitate discussions. Students can typically review messages from earlier discussions throughout the semester.

Writing assignments often follow a process approach: Students might complete prewriting, revision, and editing activities during class or at home.

Writing assignments often follow a process approach: Students might complete prewriting, revision, and editing activities online or offline.

Students typically exchange drafts and comment on peers’ essays according to set criteria. The review is primarily face-to-face, with some written comments.

Students e-mail or post essay drafts for other students to review. The review occurs as typed comments on a paper or posts to a discussion board.

Quizzes and tests are typically completed on paper in class. Questions might be in multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay format. The time limit for quizzes and tests is usually rigid.

Quizzes and tests are typically completed online using quiz tools; questions might be in multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay format. The time limit might be rigid or flexible.

Conferences are typically face-to-face during class or in the instructor’s office during office hours.

Instructors might conduct conferences by e-mail, by phone, or in a chat. Instructors might ask students who live nearby to come to campus for a face-to-face meeting.