Interesting reflections by Emily at Filament on using WebCT:

"My big complaint about WebCT is that it cuts students off from the real internet. I especially hate that the messaging system is not real email and doesn't allow you to email outside of the program. It creates these little communities and then abruptly disbands them at the end of the semester instead of allowing the continued networking of real internet communities." [Filament]

Absolutely! Knock down the walls says I!

Imagine an educator who has her or his students having a great debate or discussion online during a course and then..... where does this great conversation of ideas, thoughts, and notions go after the course is over... does it get "thrown out" like so many things these days? After you get into weblogging, you see where something like webct may be coming short and has the potential to be better than it is. or not?

I have been thinking about that myself when some of our staff have classes at the local university. I say.. why not blog your cousework as an option.. some are willing.. but the professor is another story. I do not get emails back from professors on this. If work for a class is to be authentic as it can be, the journey to one's answers and conclusions should be posted. Teachers can take the knowledge they have gained and extend and refine their thinking and practice as they work though the year. This is heavy.... Why am I, a elementary school techie thinking over a challenge that people who make a lot more money than I do at the university level, should be seriously looking at.

"Ever since the Web entered the popular consciousness, observers have noted that it puts information at your fingertips but tends to keep wisdom out of reach. In a space organized around connected minds, however, the search for wisdom becomes more promising." [elearningpost]

Another good quote: "What happens when you start seeing the Web as a matrix of minds, not documents?"

Good question!

Had to post this for the quotes!