9. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the course management system includes multimedia knowledge objects with links to information content such as websites, bibliographies, articles and books, primary sources, films and videos, symphonies and other audio files, interactive maps, museum exhibits, and online lectures.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a knowledge map is created and maintained for an educational subject for teaching on a stand-alone computer connected to an online network as a medium for online instruction in the educational subject, wherein a plurality of knowledge maps are aggregated and organized in an ordered course of instruction, and wherein the ordered course of instruction is managed by a course management system.