Here's a surprise (not!): "As college professors post lectures online, they're seeing a rise in absenteeism."

Comments

[EclectEcon]

So some students don't show up if they can listen to a lecture on-line (and get the notes on-line, too!). What's the problem?

If they get lower grades, they'll soon learn that attending class has some value. Or they'll fail. Not a bad result, overall.

If they don't get lower grades, then either (1) it's not a problem and profs should stop trying to force/entice them to attend class, or (2) it's a problem because they aren't learning as much. But have any of these profs who have implemented spot quizzes, etc. tested this?

For my experiences with podcasting, see here:
http://econoclectic.powerblogs.com/posts/1136791865.shtml

And for my discussion of this article, along with the comments, see this:
http://www.eclectecon.com/posts/1137550028.shtml

In a nutshell: it's a new and useful technology. The students and universities that adapt will succeed; those that don't, won't.