I meant to address this more in the blog, but forgot! Here goes...
For me, I think more face to face is important - but perhaps that is because I am not as tech savy as many. Asking questions, getting clarification, and having someone THERE to show me on my computer is what I need out of a course like this. Even if it is not you or Ann or Ginny, the people around me can often provide immediate assistance and I can help others. Those informal conversations we have before and after class are important too. Those don't happen in the same way in an online class.
I think you could do a couple of sessions a semester online like we did through Collaborate or Google Hangout and not lose the integrity of the class. Or, you could allow some people to do on site and others to Skype in etc. (like Brian did in DP). Maybe offer some options for people to decide what they need. I think there are lots of creative options that could be explored.
By the way, Brian's skyping last night was the MOST successful experience like that that I have seen. It really felt like he was part of the class. I think a lot of that was due to the significant time spent in small group discussion and the smallness of our class.
Just my thoughts...
Thanks for your thoughts - and that's a great point, I see so much interaction going on before, during and after class as people share their work, help each other troubleshoot, etc. I think that's exactly what worries me about moving it online - it will be much more isolating.
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