+Face-to-Face and Online Learning Compared

+Face-to-Face Advantages Face to face learning is immediate.

Instructors immediacy decreases distance between students and faculty

Dialogue and collaboration occurs in real time with all the nuanced expressions of human interaction

There is a visceral connection to another person

You can sometimes gauge the emotional, psychological state of the student

You can easily change direction if events or circumstances require it

+Online Advantages Online content, discussions, directions,

etc. are persistent

Learning by the student is flexible

With a well designed introduction from each student you can constant go back and connect with individuals. Can easily give feedback.

Online provides a wide platform for rich media (video, audio, simulations) and unlimited web content

Online courses generally require more responsibility from the student

+Face-to-Face Challenges

It can be difficult to remember pertinent information about students

Much of the content of discussions is lost in time

Tied to a strict time schedule of several hours during the week

Can only access limited resources in class

The ebb and flow of the class can be dependent on the tenor of student engagement

+Online Challenges

Dialogue with students is difficult to create and maintain

Lack of immediacy (facial expression, names, comfort level, student observation)

Content and class activity is usually prescribed without any room for spontaneity. Course can become static.

Discussion boards, unless strictly directed, can become somewhat chaotic

+What About Blended Learning

Immediacy

Dialogue

Persistence

Spontaneity

Flexibility

Increased Student Responsibility

Room for rich media and collaboration

Ability to give constant and consistent feedback

Bended learning can combine the best of face-to-face instruction and online instruction

+ All Face-to-Face Learning Should Be