It isn't a "guide." It's a sales tool. It purports to de-mystify myths, but does so with almost no support from authoritative sources. Since this 5-or-so-page guide doesn't contribute to the knowledge about distance learning, isn't posting a link to it little more than promoting a commercial product? If it had been posted by an unknown or a rep from the company (as opposed to a board moderator), what would the reaction be?
It's not really a sales tool. There's one paragraph about what the company does at the end of the document, and the company's products aren't really aimed at end-users. They're using the booklet to get themselves some visibility, and since they're not doing anything competitive to degreeinfo, and the link was posted by one of our staff, and not someone shilling for the company, I see no problem with having the link. Additionally, while the information isn't documented and cited, a lot of it is common sense among people who know distance learning, and it's not dissimilar, in terms of lack of citations, with lots of articles we've posted here, or with material in books that John Bear and others have written.
It's not an opinion piece lacking citations. It is a sales tool lacking substance. I don't care if you link it. But I'm going to say what I feel about it. And comparing this to Bear's (and Bears') books is just absurd. What a joke.
Rich, You're certainly entitled to your opinions, as I am to mine. And since I'm one of the owners of this site, I guess I get to determine whether it stays or goes, and I'm OK with it. And, for that matter, I was one of the writer/editors who did much of the editing of the last substantive revision of BG, so I have a pretty good grasp of what in there was cited and referenced and what wasn't, and I stand by my statement. Common knowledge doesn't require citation, and much of BG didn't have references (because they weren't needed), just as this piece isn't cited either, for the same reason. And it doesn't matter. (Not that I expect you to change your position, since you're never wrong.) But the thinly veiled attacks on any of our mods (or me, for that matter) are not appreciated, and won't be tolerated. Please just play nice, or go play somewhere else. Thanks!
It wasn't thinly veiled. It was what it was. And no, it wasn't an attack. But posting it is a joke. Surely you can withstand that assessment without resorting to threats, or personal attacks you're accusing me of doing. The piece is blatant advertising. I don't care if you post it or not. It is what it is.
...And always have to have the last word, as well. (Which, along with the last statement, is not an attack, but a statement of fact.)
The guide is informative and it is kind of sexay. Lighten up guys. It's not that serious. The tenor of the thread is starting to sound as if we're at an academic conference.
Haha, Iwasn't even find click it till MC sold the porn angle, then I get there and I'm like ...too much trouble filling out all the info....so I didn't get to see any porn, nor where any myths debunked. Very disappointing.
Here's something about debunking myths: MythBusters : Discovery Channel As for the porn, you're on your own.
