So often in discussions around higher ed learning, and in
particular distance learning, we hear about facilitated learning
and the end to the Sage on the Stage . I do not, however,
believe that in order to have facilitated learning experiences,
one needs to eliminate the "sage on the stage". One of the best
professors I had was a history professor who told history in the
form of mostly anecdotal information that he often acted out.
His passion and his years of research were clearly evident in
his lectures, and made my learning memorable. What is often
missing in the online environment is that anecdotal information,
the often contagious passion of the professor, and the years of
research she/he has spent learning about the subject matter that
is often conveyed in the form of a lecture--not the powerpoint
slides, but the audio portion of a lecture. In deed, if
powerpoint is used properly it only serves to support a
presentation, not become the presentation--but that's another
topic for another day. In the previ