​Online technology can be incorporated into aviation education to create a more realistic and immersive learning experience. Software like Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane can help students understand concepts like aerodynamics, aircraft engineering, flight principles, navigation, and aviation systems as well as help them to develop their decision-making abilities. This technology can simulate various flight conditions and emergency situations and integrate real-world weather data as well as allow them to experience airspace navigation and air traffic control. Online flight simulators can be an extremely helpful tool to help aviation students to learn theoretical concepts, decision-making skills, and communication.

​Teamwork is an extremely important skill in aviation. While teamwork is vital in most aviation roles, it is most notable in the flight deck, where teamwork is paramount for a safe flight. In the classroom, it is important to teach these collaboration skills to help prepare students for the teamwork they will face in their future endeavors. Through course assignments and online collaboration tools, I am able to foster the skill of teamwork. Assignments can include designing and presenting a flight plan as a team, collaborating on a research project on aviation history, or playing “lawyer” in a case study. All of these team assignments require students to collaborate on a larger project, working together to learn, find a solution, complete the assignment, etc. Students use online collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams for virtual meetings and discussions, online discussion boards to continue the conversations and ask questions, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for collaborative documents and presentations. It is important, especially in aviation, for educators to incorporate digital collaboration in their teaching strategies. 

Communication is an important skill in the aviation and space industry. One way I help foster discussion in the courses that I teach is through online discussion boards. I have used discussion boards in various ways in my courses to help foster relevant, industry-specific discussion. In some space courses I have students find a recent space event and relate it back to the course content, discussing how it will impact the future of space. Students learn from others space interests, discover current events, and discuss them with each other. In some of my law courses I have students discuss their thoughts or opinions on a legal case study. They often have differing opinions on the outcome, leading to respectful disagreements as well as understanding the viewpoints of others. Online discussion boards are a great way to teach the skill of communication and even disagreements, vital skills of the aviation community.