I don't feel that way, but I can understand why you and others might. I had Professor Salt last term for SOC 205 online. I learned a lot and he had excellent materials selected for the course which has made a huge impact on my outlook on society.

Online classes are not really instructor lead from the classes I have taken. Professor Salt has given us large introductions (lectures) as well as questions... the rest of the class discussion is on the web board and in a regular class done primarily by the students.

I know that Jim would like to participate more in the class (he has stated that a number of times)... class discussion is usually done for and by students. Although teachers usually direct some class discussions, an online forum does not really request that sort of direction. The direction usually given is through discussion questions, which he has MORE THAN enough of for each section.

I understand the fragmented and distant feeling from web boards, but that is kind of how online classes are to different degrees...

The one thing I have noticed is that some of the posting structure is not as responsive as it was last term, but it seems to be picking up... Hopefully it will get better as the class goes on and we stop being shy about our feelings...

Jesus' Peace and Love, Meorah