eLearning: eLearning Software

Does instant messaging (IM) have a place in an effective eLearning system? I think it can, although many may disagree, especially when it comes to K-12 education. With many parents, instant messaging has come to be known as one of the "bad things" that their children do on the Internet, one of those things that it not education. But I think that instant messaging can become an important and necessary part of any eLearning solution. The reason is that instant messaging is a form of synchronous communication, and this type opf communication is a necessary part of the learning process. It is especially more important when the learner is accessing the eLearning envirnoment from a remote location, in which there is no local synchronous communication with other students and/or instructors. Teamwork and collaboration are very important skills for students at any level to have. While team work and collaboration can be done via email, this is not enough. Email is asynchronous, and has obvious limitations as a communications medium. True eLearning requires a rich communications element, and I think that IM should be part of that.

Which is better for learning? eLearning software in the form of a desktop application, or a web-based form of elaerning software?

Now, before you say that the obvious answer is web, consider that desktop software does not have to be an isolated, disconnected piece of software. Obvious examples, though not eLearning applications, are instant messaging and file sharing software -- both are desktop applications but their functionality is based on their ability to connect to others. So if both desktop and web eLearning software have the ability to connect learners and instructors (and others), which is more effective for eLearning?

Of course the features of any eLearning software application are important. But assuming that a desktop application had similar features to a web application, which is better? Or would it not matter at all? Or is such an assumption imposssible, due to the user interface limitations that are inherent in any web interface?

I don't have the answers, but I curious about what others think? Let me know what you think.