Another is to draw a student out, or egg someone on, like a conductor.
There's also the subtle communication and enthusiasm that races around a small group of engaged people, that I doubt we'll ever be able to replicate online.
Giant 101 classes taught in auditoriums by RAs are probably good for online teaching, but I would generally feel that you better be cutting me a break on my tuition if I never see my professors' eyeballs.
"Oh, you went to the U of Whatever? When? What major? Hey, I think I was your professor! What'd you think of that blackboard app? Yeah, pretty shitty. So hey, did you pass my class?"
Not saying we shouldn't, just that we'll lose something valuable if we go all in.
It made me wish I had just taken a normal course.
One of my jobs was to set up Blackboard course websites for instructors. It was about as much fun as filling out a tax return. Nothing but filling out forms, selecting options, and other monotonous things like that.
Using it in my classes was about the same experience. We really just used to it download the syllabus, assignments, and other documents the instructor posted. No one used the Discussion Board or any of the other Blackboard features.
That will save millions of dollars on writing software for online course administration (and associated support staff). Then the professors can focus on doing free corporate research instead!
And of course, the student is just as prepared for "the real world", and the Universities can build up their billion-dollar endowments and live off the interest. Everybody wins!
