Ok, here is our discussion on Distance Learning
Kramsch and Anderson
Important issues to keep in mind from the text:

• Representation
• Language beyond the sentence/ word
• Text/ context relations
• Materials development
• Multiple Viewpoints
  • subjectivity
  • role of teacher as Gatekeeper

Distance Learning
What are you learning about here??
- Better term, perhaps, "location independent" teaching and learning
- Same material serves a variety of situations and people
- Don't have some types of interactions, but others exist

• often lack face to face, except for some occasions.  

- So what defines Distance learning?  What is the distance?

• mainly about minimizing f2f interaction (maybe)

Issues of Note
- DL has a long history
- Major business aspect.  Lots of money being invested in DL

Advantages for Students

• location Independent
• opportunity for contact with otherwise out-of-reach interlocutors/colleagues/instructors/world experts/trolls/stalkers
• more options for courses to pursue
• open/flexible scheduling
• ability to study and have a jobby job
• favors written word
• class in jammies

Disadvantages for Students

• less/no f2f contact
• need of technology ($$)
• tech WILL break down...
• opportunity of deleterious miscommunication
• less speaking
• online degrees possibly less valued by employers
• favors written word

Unknown stuff

• What about getting/giving letters of recommendation w/o ever having met the person?
• What about plagiarism?  How do you know that your students aren't "outsourcing" their work?