Discussion on Gibbons's original work and the TVI model
October 04, 2006
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Teaching a relatively large-size class requires significantly more preparation (and
background) than does tutoring a handful of people.  So the requirements for a
successful tutor are much lower.

One of the criteria for successful learning is a having "a community of learners" 
(as explained in the "How People Learn" book).  Having, a large class does not
mean that there is a community.

In a TVI model, it's important to make the technology "disappear" as much as possible.
Human cues are often hard to capture (e.g., looking in a certain direction - toward
another member of the audience).

A major difference between the Gibbons' Stanford report and the UW TVI experiment was
that Stanford was offering a Stanford Master's degree (to people who would otherwise not
be accepted to Stanford), whereas UW was offering a community college credit (rather 
than a UW credit) to the takers of the TVI classes.  There is a significant motivation 
difference between the two.

TVI is not (necessarily) better than the classroom experience, but is likely better than 
the ...

Being accountable to another human being for doing something is more effective than
being accountable to yourself only.  In particular, self-study works only for some
students.

A big problem with the UW TVI model was that the community college students felt that
the lecture was not directed at them and not responsive to their own needs (and why
they had chosen a community college in the first place).