Okay, I'll bite.

I'll be the first to say that there are some real CRAP dl programs out there.
Heck, I've even edited them and tried to make them better.

But DL has it's advantages and it's purposes. It is NOT to take the place of
face to face education or more "traditional" methods. And there are as many
ways to do distance learning as there are traditional methods.

For example, the Smithsonian has only 10% of its collection on display at any
one point in time. We just have too much stuff. Since we don't have the space
(nor the funds *ahem*) to put more stuff out, we can photograph the artifacts
and create "virtual" exhibits from them. It's not the same as a real-life
exhibit but it allows more artifacts to be displayed than would otherwise be
possible. And in the long run, it is cheaper to do an online exhibit and change
the pictures and text than it is to put things on display. Plus it helps
preserve your artifacts.

That is one example of a use of DL.

Taking that example further, you can even create "virtual" examinations of
especially fragile artifacts or for people who can't see them in person. An
artifact can be completely digitized and then virtually modeled for someone to
look at for all angles. Again, it doesn't take the place of a real artifact but
it does give someone access to a piece they would otherwise not be able to see.

So open your mind a bit and look at all the different aspects of DL that are
out there - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Deb Fuller - DL 'ho and web pimp ;)

--- Margaret Conover <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Distance learning is to education
> as pornography is to sex.
>
>  Leon Botstein, President, Bard College
>
>
>
>
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
> Of [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 11:30 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Distance Learning
>
>
>
>   Greetings:
>
>   Can anyone advise me about distance learning: the pitfalls, the
> challenges, the benefits?  I am looking for organizations that provide
> distance education and for grant agencies that want to fund such programs.
>
>   Monta Lee Dakin
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