In addition to writing computer books about software programming, John Smiley, MCP, MCSD, MCT has another outstanding skill.

He also teaches people from all around the globe how to program using the resources of the Net,. In fact, almost 100,000 students have enrolled in his Internet classes.

The languages that he teaches online include Visual Basic 6, VB.Net, Java and C#.

Smiley points out that there are many advantages in learning a computing language online.

"First, a student can 'attend' a quality class from anywhere - regardless of where they live, and they can 'attend' class as often and whenever they want. This means that someone who is in an area of the world that doesn't offer computer programming language classes, or someone whose schedule does not permit them to attend classes that are available in their commuting area can take an Internet class from anywhere, any time of the day or night".

For instance, he's had a student who is a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, and a bread delivery man in Detroit. Smiley reports that both of these people had access to programming courses in their areas, but their work schedules wouldn't permit them to attend. He's also had students in remote regions of Spain, the Philippines, South Africa and Saudi Arabia take classes.

Secondly, some students are reserved and shy by nature. For instance, in addition to his Internet teaching, he teaches conventional college classes at Penn State University.

"I've had students in my classes who would go an entire semester without asking a single question, when I knew they had plenty of them," says Smiley. "Why didn't they ask them? They were too shy, afraid to be the one to ask the so-called 'dumb' question. In an Internet class, the reserved students excel - they can ask as many questions as they want. No one can see them - no one can poke fun at their questions".

According to Smiley, another big advantage he's seen, from a teacher's perspective, is the message board.

"For instance, in a conventional classroom, you may have someone ask a question, and have another student ask the same question 10 minutes later. Why is that? The second student was too busy 'playing' on their PC when the first student asked their question, and didn't hear the question, or the answer. With a message board, it's understood, and the students are reminded from time to time, that everyone is to read all of the message postings before posting their own question. As a result, in my experience, students absorb a lot more material than they would in a conventional classroom".

So what sort of people are attracted to learning a computer language over the Net?

Smiley responds that, for the most part, it's people who either can't travel to a conventional learning facility because there's not one close or whose schedule doesn't permit it. He's also had some students whose physical condition precludes them from attending a conventional class.

During the last few years, he's also had students study with him over the Internet because they've purchased his book, and they want to further their learning experience by interacting with the author himself.

Smiley readily acknowledges that there are some disadvantages with teaching and learning over the Net.

"First, there are times, fortunately not too frequently, when a student has a problem that I could solve in a conventional classroom in 10 seconds if I was actually sitting next to them, but in an Internet class, obviously since I have no access to their PC, it's a bit more complicated".

"In an Internet class," says Smiley, "if the student doesn't do a good job of formulating their question, it could be several iterations of question and answer before I finally figure out what their problem is. For instance, I have students who pose questions like this: I'm having a problem with Exercise 3-1. My answer to them is to elaborate a bit. Their next post is: I'm receiving an Error Message when I compile. My answer: What's the exact error message? Finally, they give me that piece of information I need to solve the problem. Fortunately, a reminder to the students to fully explain their problem usually prevents a repeat of this scenario - also, when students learn how to capture a screenshot and post it to their message post, things are much easier".

"Secondly, there is no face to face contact," adds Smiley, "which means you can't always discern the 'tone' of the students' questions. For instance, are they frustrated, close to quitting? My philosophy of teaching is to lead the student in the direction of the answer, not to give it to them directly. After all, I won't be with them on their first day in a new job. In a conventional class, I know when the student is so frustrated, they just can't deal with this technique any longer - in an Internet class, it's a lot harder to discern this.

"On the other hand, as a teacher you have to write your replies to the student using a 'tone' that is warm and engaging. You'd be amazed at the number of emails I receive telling me how much my Internet students enjoy my teaching 'style' - which is solely a byproduct of the 'tone' I use when answering questions. From both perspectives, student and teacher, we both feel as though we really know each other well after a class ends - even though we've never seen or spoken to one another".

To learn more about John Smiley and his online courses in programming languages, drop into his Web site at www.johnsmiley.com .

Stay tuned for the second instalment of this two part feature, as the focus turns to what's involved in teaching programming courses online.

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