Distance learning has its pros, despite cons. This is an article in Portland Press Herald. Mostly quite dull, but I thought this section was interesting: "... But a developing situation at the University of Southern Maine points up a potential shortcoming of distance-learning methods. While listening to a pre-taped lecture by psychology professor John Broida, student Rachel Morales could not get an instant explanation for comments she felt were racist and anti-gay. She complained to the university, initiating an investigation. ..."
Makes you wonder if, from the instructor's position, that the research degree might not be a bad idea no taped lecture that way. clint
USM professor receives apology. Snippet: The University of Southern Maine provost has written a letter of apology to a professor who was accused last winter of making racist and anti-homosexual remarks in his lectures. In the letter, Joseph Wood apologizes to John Broida for statements he made about a videotaped lecture by Broida that a student complained about. ... After the student's complaint became public, the university appointed a four-member committee to review some of Broida's lectures and make recommendations to improve the climate on campus for minorities. One recommendation was to review tapes for distance-learning classes before they are distributed to students. ... Donald Anspach, a USM associate professor and co-president of the USM chapter of the faculty union, said professors feared they could be disciplined, or lose income, by exercising their rights of academic freedom. "I believe prior to the settlement that academic freedom was threatened," he said.
