OMDE601 Discussion thread

13.2 :-) Anthony to Thomas' intro
13.2.1 :-? Jennifer


13.2.2 :-) Shyamala (to Jennifer)

Your points actually prove the value of an online conference....can you imagine thinking of something that didn't strike you when F2F with your professor. Or you are in the middle of a discussion with your group as to how to resolve a doubt and get stuck? Would you keep going back to the prof. with your questions? Well, in an online course....its just a click away!

You say:

In a traditional seminar, these issues could have been addressed immediately in real-time discussion. Students would not have to wait to proceed.

This is only true if the questions strike you to be addressed to the instructor. I don't think at graduate level, any assignment and its complete complexities can be fathomed by running a cursory glance at the question, especially a multi part assignment like the last one! Questions and doubts keep on arising at every stage....in an online seminar you can address them to the instructor...at 5am in the morning with coffee if you please.

You say:

At least in a face-to-face session the instructor would be able to see confusion or lack of interest on the students' faces.

You think in a class of 28-30 student, the instructor is going to read everyone's faces? He is going to say "I give you two minutes to ask your doubts" That gives you two minutes to read your question interrupted by some fellow student who wants to know what time it is so that he doesn't miss his date!!! By the time you look up the instructor has left and then its mayhem.

I rest my case.

Shyamala.