My point is that although we call both forms "conferences," they really have little in common with each other. Better: they ought not to resemble each other, since they are using different technologies with different strengths and weaknesses. The fac-to-face conference ought to improve by understanding and exploiting the virtues of assembling people together what you are calling "proximity." The online form ought to exploit the lack of proximity--the overcoming of time and space restrictions at the expense of proximity.
It seems to me the same could be said for "conventional education" (vs. distance education). In "conventional education", as with most physical conferences, the students (attendees) come to class (keynote), sit quietly, - and go on their merry way. Do they learn? Were they motivated? Or did they just get their Attendance Sheet marked as "proof" of appropriate reverence?
Would the students (attendees) have learned more if they had listened, in advance, to the lecture at a time convenient to them? Or if they had read the text commentary and looked at the links provided - all well in advance of the physical meeting place?
Had they been able to insert their own comments electronically into that same space, would this have enabled more feedback? improved the experience for all?
The answers to those questions are just as obvious for convention organizers as they are for the college professor. My own guess is their worry is that without the physical gathering, and the high honor of being with other Mucky Mucks, a whole bunch of students (attendees) might not bother to come at all. The glitter of their robes doesn't pass easily through the wires of the Net.
NOW - If physical conferences would morf - almost entirely - into Q&A sessions and interactive workshops - with tons of stuff put up on the Web well in advance - the obvious strength of physical conferences would multiply. Who disagrees with the notion that rubbing shoulders, interactively, is not highly stimulative? highly motivating -- especially for those who already have a good grasp of the issues in advance.
Neither do many disagree that sitting on your hands, listening quietly to the big Mucky Muck, at a time and place convenient to him and other Mucky Mucks, does much to enhance intellectual enquiry...or appropriate follow up.
_______________________________________________
DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide
To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
