That’s a decent point–but where’s the proof that students “watching” online lectures are completely focusing on them, and not also checking e-mail and updating their fB account? Just because students click a button in a pause in the video doesn’t mean this is a more effective method of education. In fact, I’d wager that students left to their own devices would probably permit themselves to be more distracted by various electronic media than students in a lecture hall.

Besides: what decent lecturer doesn’t pause to permit the 80% (optimistic!) who are scribbling to finish their note-taking and ask them if they’re following along and if anything needs clarification or further explanation? At least when you’re F2F, you can use the sophisticated facial recognition software in your own human brain to gauge whether or not the students are with you, not with you, bored out of their minds, in need of a stupid joke or pop culture reference to wake them up, etc.

Great coverage & commentary, as usual, Jonathan!