I think that generally speaking learner autonomy is a great thing. Too often students are held to the constrictions of the teacher schedule to the point that there isn't much time for creativity let alone individualistic thinking/learning. Advantage: opportunities to display responsibility and feel empowered for one's own learning; Disadvantage: the same (comes into play if time management and/or procrastination is the norm for the student personality).
I grew up as a shy person. I have admitted in last fall's class that if I were to have been sitting in a classroom setting with the students I was routinely interacting with online...I would be the very quiet. Socially I am not necessarily quiet, but can be reserved in a new setting until I discover my surroundings and develop a comfort level...that is how I am in a face to face classroom, I think I always will be. But the online classroom I feel much more empowered and more free. Possibly because I can't see you screwing up your faces at my answers :) Possibly because I have more of a chance to write (and edit) my thoughts before they become public. I'm not a control freak, but having that small amount of control somewhat assures my foot steers clear of my mouth (most of the time) when answering instructor questions/assignments. Definitely an advantage in my book.
I believe that online forums open up more opportunities for learners as we have so many different schedules and those that work 2nd or 3rd shift have a better chance of finding interactions and socializing that they may not previously have had a chance to participate in due to their schedules (if face to face classroom were their only option).
I believe that online learning is an equalizer of sorts. Sure, sometimes spelling and grammar can be telling, but for the most part we are on an equal playing field and I don't feel that this is necessarily true in a face to face classroom. So cooperative learning, in my opinion, is enhanced because of my points above.
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