how does a laptop help them learn?
like any other "tool", it depends on how it is used. I've taken classes that were completely online and it worked well for me. You can have interactive instructional video so that each student can work at his or her own pace... they can pause it, rewind it... have it repeat sections... and if you get into trouble and don't understand, then you ask for assistance from the teacher. Set up correctly, it can be a fabulous learning tool.
Sara
"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." - Harry Truman