<snipped section of observations I agree with>
>
> It's perfectly valid to discuss personal preferences ("I like to...I don't
> like to..."), but if we are talking generic instructional practice, we have
> to remember that there are lots of teachers, LOTS of teachers who don't
> communicate as well or gracefully as Nick and Marcy, who in fact impede
> learning through f2f pecadillos (probably about 2/3 of the teachers I've
> ever had). There will be large numbers of students (not all, certainly)
> who will see a formal learning situation that bypasses f2f with teachers as
> something devoutly to be wished.
The only caveat I'd add here, and I know Fred probably had it in mind, is
that a teacher whom can "impede learning through f2f pecadillos" is not
likely to improve matters online, unless the pecadillo is simply a matter
of bad breath. The alternative CMC offers is only as good as the people at
the keyboards; there may not be face to face, but there's certainly
personality and pedagogy coming through.
Nick Carbone, Writing Instructor
Marlboro College
Marlboro, VT 05344
nickc@marlboro.edu