Day 234 of 366: The Allusion of Presence

Today I spoke to a group of potential Tech Integrationists in a TIES TIS Cohort. I spoke to a similar group last week. Both groups were diverse in knowledge levels. Both groups had just come back from a good lunch. Both groups had posed questions for me, the “expert”, on Today’s Meet ahead of time.

Last week, I spoke in person. Today I spoke remotely from my basement using Skype.

For both experiences, I was able to see the audience. For both, new questions were posed. I was able to see nods, affirmations of understanding. So why was today more distant?

I am a digital native. I grew up immersed in technology. I was on the Internet before I could stay out past 11 pm. I maintained long distance relationships over the Internet- even from as far away as Europe.

And yet, there is a difference between the physical presence of a group and remote observers. There is a difference between reactions and relationships formed digitally. I feel closer to some Facebook friends that I haven’t seen in years than I do to my coworkers.

So what makes the educational setting different? Is it reacting to that one struggling audience member? Is it looking into the actual eyes of the learner to gauge understanding? Years ago, as I took online classes for my Masters, I felt that disconnect from my instructors.

As I work to move forward on supporting teachers with distance learning, I need to keep this in mind. I know that digital student/teacher connections are possible. But what about the class as a community?

What advice would you have for a teacher transitioning from face-to-face to any form of digital teaching model?

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