Bill Greenwalt, Counseling and Student Affairs

Disadvantages:

Instructors have to trust their students and be willing to give up some of the control over the class. I list this as a drawback even though I find it personally rewarding now. I think most instructors like to be in complete control of the class and the subject material. While they still have that control it is not as overt. At times the instructor may think they could answer a question faster and facilitate better learning of the student. However students will live up to the instructor's expectations.

Occasionally students do miss some important materials--though I am convinced they probably miss less setting their own agenda than they would if I set the agenda for them. When that does occur, the instructor has to make a decision on how to include the material in some other way.

The biggest disadvantage is the constant course involvement. Forums must be monitored daily even though the instructor may not post any thing. I generally try not to post any comment until the latter half of the week. However does have to read the comments daily. While this does take time, that time can be anytime during the day and can fluctuate when necessary.