Turning alberich's observation, I would say that to date online education has provided a poorer experience than live lectures. But I think we are at the point where online can become a richer experience. IIRC Salman Kahn thinks that online should be the rich exploratory experience and live face time should be for tailored help.
I got my undergraduate degree at Harvard. We had some master showmen whose cadence I can still recall 40 years later. We also had graduate student section leaders whose grasp of English and basic teaching were below the minimum for communication.
I think we are at the point, or nearly so, that we can create engaging avatars to communicate effectively with students, and I dont mean just read a script. Sure you could have a lecture about ancient Rome, but wouldnt it be much more effective to have a guided tour?
I got my undergraduate degree at Harvard. We had some master showmen whose cadence I can still recall 40 years later. We also had graduate student section leaders whose grasp of English and basic teaching were below the minimum for communication.
I think we are at the point, or nearly so, that we can create engaging avatars to communicate effectively with students, and I dont mean just read a script. Sure you could have a lecture about ancient Rome, but wouldnt it be much more effective to have a guided tour?