Response Week 2
Tony Reetz
"I am afraid that others, more astute than I, shall discover my fears to be unfounded, and I shall prove to be a coward."
The setting of fear, isolation;
the spark of fear, assumption;
the tinder of fear, ignorance;
the fuel of fear, misperception;
the wind of fear, miscommunication;
the fury of fear, pride.
If we accept the position of our textbook, online learning is not successful unless there is a sense of community (p.29). This position is flawed and unfounded. If it was true, then people conducting independent, informal online research are doomed to failure.
To me, the concept of community is attractive in the theoretical, deeply human realms of being, but repelling in actual practice. I have yet to experience a community that was not in some state of degradation. Even those communities with the noblest ideals were largely self-serving to the existing power base.
I could go on.
I don't take courses for the purpose of developing community, whether actual or virtual. I take them for the pragmatic reasons of increasing my knowledge, skills, financial position, etc.
On the other hand, I need connection with you, my colleagues, and I would greatly enjoy spending time with you. I don't think that the online environment is going to prove to be effective in meeting the deep needs that we have as people for each other.
My hopes for being in this class with you are centered around the basically practical reasons given above. I must say, though, that I have gained new respect and appreciation for the work that I have seen from you all. I hope that we will be able to successfully satisfy the requirements of this project in the midst of our incredibly complicated lives.