Many colleges have been expanding their curriculums over last decade to include online classes and web conferences have played a significant role. A feature that only requires an Internet connection to access, a web conference allows instructors to interact with their students by lecture, discussion or question and answer. Whiteboards can be employed through web conferencing, as can slideshows, allowing instructor to demonstrate examples or share graphics that illustrate their point.
While many online classes also utilize web pages, message boards and emails, web conference allows for a lecture period and if a student is 'absent,' they can replay lesson.
Also, with web conferences, lectures can be 'recorded' and attached on syllabus page for viewing as students achieve that part of semester. This not only allows more freedom for instructor, but also for students with regard to flexible enrollment.
Online college courses allow more people than ever to have college experience. Freed from obligation of committing two or three hours a week to a physical classroom (not including drive time) lets everyone from full time employees to full time parents take advantage of opportunities for higher education.
Technology has a way to breed progress and nowhere is that statement more visible than in utilization of web conferences in online courses.
Online courses are not for every student, because they require a certain amount of self-motivation and drive. They also require that students work to completion without pressure of physically presenting themselves week after week.