TEACHSOC: Re: on-line teaching

[Chris Taylor]

Hi Sarah and All,   I teach online full-time and I love it. My students are mostly returning adults who are highly motivated and believe that their decision to return to school will change their lives. Teaching online is a lot of work. Most classes involve a great deal of written discussion, as well as papers, exams, etc. It really depends on the school and platform. One of the things I like most about online classes is that everyone must participate in the discussion. Obviously, there is no sitting at the back of the class while the same 2 or 3 students do most of the participating. I've found the experience extremely fulfilling as I watch students learn to think critically and see their own experiences as valid and transforming. As far as prestige, I have not seen it. What I have seen are dialogues that equate all online education with diploma mills. Many feel that online schools are not "real," that they have inferior standards, etc. This, of course, is related to gate keeping, which I find very sad, but everywhere. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have regarding teaching online off list in order not to flood inboxes. :-) Peace, Chris Sarah Murray wrote: I'd like to get some feedback on on-line teaching, something I'm contemplating undertaking.   Anyone have any views as to whether it is more or less enjoyable, fulfilling, hectic, "prestigious", effective, etc.?   I am an adjunct at a state university, currently teaching on weekends.  I know the on-line Soc. course fill up to capacity -- more so than the weekend courses.   Sarah Murray William Paterson U of NJ   PS  The "Katrina" dialogue among us makes for rich conversation, including in my lectures on structural violence this September.