3 Responses to “#2 - Real Relationships”

1. Alan Selig Says:
   August 31st, 2006 at 4:26 pm

   If your plane trip to a Distance Education conference was an oxymoron, then it is safe to say that my degree program in educational technology, with an emphasis (and dissertation) focused on distance learning, was an oxymoron as well. I took the entire multi-year program of study without one course being held online. A couple of courses had activities that were online. That was all.

   As an additional note — one of the findings in my dissertation research is that many professionals (in Christian ministry) are not inclined to pursue distance based continuing education experiences because of a perception that it is difficult or impossible to establish meangingful relationships in online events. It is a mistaken perception but is widely held. Your live online classroom events are a useful antidote to that idea. I have enjoyed getting to know you through the events we have attended.

   Alan Selig

2. Jonathan Finkelstein Says:
   September 16th, 2006 at 12:06 pm

   Alan:

   Thanks for this enlightening feedback. It is not difficult to understand why someone who has not tried it themselves might assume that computer-mediated communication is more heavy on the “computer” than on the “communication”.

   Yet as you and I have learned through practice, when meaningful purposes have brought people together online, the technology is largely invisible, and what is left is a relationship with people and that which we have learned in their company.

   I have enjoyed meeting you online as well, and appreciate your kind and thoughtful reply here.

   - Jonathan

3. CogDogBlog » Barking » Shout Out for “Learning in Real Time” Says:
   December 1st, 2006 at 8:13 pm

   […] Lastly, as a web bonus, the book site features the Real Time Minute, short video segments Jonathan shares on this concept… the first one on “real relationships” actually recorded on his laptop while sitting in the window seat of an airplane. […]

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