Dr. S. David Vaillancourt

Hi Ken, I just responded to Denise who indicated a similar sentiment… "You may be aware of some of the "scenario-based" immersive technology and adaptive learning activities that do exactly what you identify. These are only recent developments, but are gaining in development and implementation through companies who are competing to bring these learning advancements to the market. Basically, the idea is that the student will have an avatar in a workplace setting with multiple problems presented that must be addressed. Much like the 3-D, web-based games you see being played across the Internet via today's gamers." Dr. S. David… >>>

Tom, Throughout this thread multiple opinions on both sides of the aisle indicate large differences between the two platforms to meet student needs. Your insights on student comfort level and learning styles are on target with most of the participants. I guess if "over the Internet" education were to stay, basically, in its current form there would not be much dissent to the idea that it will not replace the traditional classroom. I wonder if something along the lines of "three-dimensional video conferencing" with appropriate learning props might someday (50 – 100 years) be robust enough to accommodate a learning… >>>

Yes Tom, Earlier in the thread it was suggested the instructor may wish to recommend meeting with the student if they are local. I have seen this occur in very few instances where the student was a former brick-and-mortar student of the main campus and once the students switched over to become an online student, she would occasionally meet with the instructor in a face-to-face meeting to assist with online difficulties. When the meetings take place at a campus, I don't see any real difficulties. However, the student and the teacher have implicitly agreed to meet online, so I don't… >>>