Enrollment was free and open to the public, with the exception of one section for lawyers seeking continuing legal education credit. Students numbered about 1700, and about 20 participated in the special section. About 250 of the students committed to do a certain amount of work. For the remainder of the lecture and discussion series, the work was optional.

Participation included real-time discussions in chat rooms, as well as other activities facilitated by the Internet.

Fisher says the new technology makes even reading interactive, presenting the student with "choice points"--for example, places where the reader must choose what links to follow.

"I regard this as a big advantage," he says. "It takes some getting used to. Some students prefer greater guidance on what's core [and] what's peripheral."

Fisher says he may offer something similar next year. He adds that he is still experimenting. Nesson emphasizes that the online activity must enhance their core mission.

"It's a mistake to think of the Internet as a big device to transmit knowledge from the University out to people," Fisher says. "The Internet shouldn't be thought of like a television. That loses most of its potential."

Upcoming HLS events will use the Web to enhance the experience. On May 1, an event on the Violence Against Women Act will feature a Webcast and interactive programs. That event and others may help to provide materials for future offerings, Nesson said.