Re: class-sizes

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Scott Overmyer (Scott.Overmyer@cis.drexel.edu)
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 22:53:12 -0400 

From: "Scott Overmyer" <Scott.Overmyer@cis.drexel.edu>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 22:53:12 -0400
Subject: Re: class-sizes

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Ania Lian wrote:

> (c) now, if on-line is to mean facilitating
> flexibility then why do we have to have in
> our environment a factor, like a class-size,
> which makes the environment ininflexible by
> virtue of teh nessessity of its regulation?

If one is trying to teach as an instructor, and there is the need for one
to guide and direct students; offering assessment, feedback, and grades
(to regulate quality), then there is a limit to the number of postings
that are possible to critically read and assess. This is the necessity
for limiting class size. If, on the other hand, you would like anyone
to post, offer their opinion, and be given credit for having taken a
class simply by virtue of their registration for the class, then class size
is of no importance.

Alternative online pedagogic strategies are possible (e.g., talking heads,
student-led discussions, intelligent pedagogical agent software, etc.) but
currently only effective for certain subjects where factual information is the
primary subject matter.

> time to talk"... Worst of course is when we
> remove the possibility of reflection but judge
> learners on the performance in these 45 mins debates!

The possibility of reflection and feedback is precisely what one would like to
protect by limiting class size.

IMHO,

scotto...

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