Face-to-face instruction is still a valid delivery method in support of distance-delivered courses when possible. Many assume that there is no need for face-to-face instruction in distance-delivered courses and hope to avoid the “real time” constraints of face-to-face contact. Still, some of the best distance-delivered courses have well-integrated components in which teachers meet directly with students—individually, in small groups, or with the entire class. If personal interaction between the teacher and students is deemed an important course component, it is critical to meet as a group as early in the semester as possible. Experienced distance education faculty report that the student comfort level in using technology increases significantly if the students and instructor meet early in the course and develop a personal working relationship.
Depending on how the course is delivered, it may be physically impossible to bring the teacher and students together. Nevertheless, it is better to rule out personal contact as impractical or instructionally irrelevant than to fail to consider it in the first place. When the logistics can be successfully navigated, teachers and students alike are rewarded by well-planned and highly interactive face-to-face contact.
Reference
By Barry Willis
http://technologysource.org/article/distance_educations_best_kept_secrets/
Socrates was not in favor of learning by way of books. Our world is evolving, as well as the way we learn. Technology can allow students to have “face to face contact” via a web cam and social media.
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