There are many ideas in this wide-ranging paper, including the idea that digital learning will be a substitute for both face-to-face and distance learning, creating a blend where the distinction between online and face-to-face students will disappear. A blended learning system can be far better than a face-to-face class. The technology of online learning will make heavy use of methodologies, improving the ability of large groups to communicate internally and work together (an example of such a methodology is voting to focus the discussion on areas of group difference).

A challenge for research and development is to improve class collaboration, for example, by using virtual markets to integrate discourse structures. If instructors could express their own cognitive maps, and see their students’ maps, they could better understand their teaching successes.

Societal forces will drive the substitution of online learning, partly because this allows the instructor, and the university administration, to treat all students equally. The availability of courses in digital format will weaken the geographic monopolies of many colleges and universities. A need exists for an impartial mechanism to educate the consumer about the effectiveness of the educational alternatives available; perhaps professional societies, accrediting agencies, or the universities themselves will take on this role. Online educational technology is changing rapidly; it is important that organizations not commit themselves to current technology.

This is a visionary article, with an emphasis on computer-mediated collaborative pedagogy. Forecasting is difficult, but the ideas are plausible.