Marketing

The economy of educational tools on the web
Technology trends have shifted from basic networking to multi-networked, semantic communities. The saturated market of on-line schooling is one of the frontiers for change because it is market-driven. The Elluminate platform is a prime example of the develpmont for a multimedia, web-based tool for distance learning (cite source).

The distance learning using modern technology model has been in place since Britain's Open University began for (cite source/number of years). It has evolved from (give examples) to complex systems. This has enabled learners to matriculate without attending a traditional school.

Has distance learning with modern technology increased knowledge? It can be argued that it has increased opportunities for people in the job market. Distance education does not carry with it the prestige of a brick-and-mortar. However, it does advance people to the next level in their education.

Distance learning has not driven the trends in knowledge-building as a society. Two kinds of networks are responsible for the en masse, viral explosion of multimedia, multi-networked tools. These two trends are peer-driven or social networks and interest-driven or idea networks. (Cite Macarthur). These tools are marketed via semantic networks like Facebook.