In our discussion on whether tutor lurking i.e. viewing student posts without commenting (can also be applied to student lurking) it was mooted whether the tutor should be allowed to see the post made on discussion boards. f2f teaching has tutor involvement. On-line teaching also has tutor involvement at all times. It as suggested that it can be compared to Jeremy Bentham's panopticon, a prison where every prisoner could be seen without knowing at any time whether they are actually being watched.. The discussion went on to say that a VLE should have a tutor free space. I was quite perturbed by this notion. Yes students should be free to discuss their ideas and to have the freedom of speech and communication, but to take the VLE seriously I think it needs tutor participation. The VLE is the classroom, and you wouldn't let your students run a classroom without supervision. Without teacher involvement especially on-line, students could be picked on, excluded etc... cyber bullying is all too common and although the students are meant to be adult, we have all seen the more timid or different students being excluded from the group. If you have a tutor free zone I personally think you are asking for trouble, not just for the students but for the university and the legality and validity of the vle.
I think I am more perplexed though by the comparison of the vle being like a glass prison where every action can be seen and evaluated. Learning is not like this and should never be like this. Rather the tutors job is to guide the student through the veil of ignorance through to enlightenment. Students are not prisoners and if we are created a vle which resembles one then we are not doing something right. VLE should be a place for uninhibited learning, but the tutor must play an important role in this.
I did comment on the tutors assumption that I stated above and his retort was to say that the conversation was leading us away from the disucssion on assignments. I cannot believe that an educator discussing an important element of learning and creating a good environment for assessment would shy away from the more legalistic and realistic points of view. I am frustrated and dismayed at the lack of commitment that has been shown. Furthermore on another post, a group member who has only just logged in today is complaining about not being involved in the wealth of discussion and work which has gone on. If you log in on a Friday and not expect the more diligent class member not to have done the work then I am not sure what the world is coming to. Do not criticise those that work when you come in late. By all means participate and comments and work with us but not criticise us for our work.
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