Will the Internet spell the end of education as we know it? It all depends on whom you talk to.
For Robert Biscontri, lecturer at the Department of Accountancy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Internet can streamline administrative tasks, but it will never replace the traditional classroom.
'During tutorials we can get right into the material because administrative problems have already been handled,' Mr Biscontri said.
'It's a tool that helps students interact with one another as well as with staff. They can work in groups from remote locations.' PolyU's Department of Accountancy has adopted LearningSpace by Lotus as a tool to enhance the teaching and learning environment. The department does not see it as a replacement to face-to-face contact between students and teachers.
'Personally, I prepare course materials at the beginning of the semester, and I make them available [to students via the Internet] week by week,' Mr Biscontri said.
The advantage was that students could go over the material carefully and come to class better prepared to participate in discussions. They could also e-mail questions to the professor that they wanted to be addressed in class.
More than 1,000 students are currently accessing the department's system.