RE: Teaching Computer Science Remotely
Interesting post/idea.
As someone who likes programming, has bachelor in CS and likes teaching/creating tutorials on that topic, I find this subject really interesting.
I actually believe that teachers should record themselves (as opposed to teach same lecture again and again) and have such remote tools for students that have problems and/or need help.
Let me explain what I mean.
As a computer science student of a rather well-known (and hard) university over where I live, I found it preferable to often just skip classes and learn on my own. Why? Well, I relatively early figured that when I find the same topic on, say YouTube from a well known channel, that guy/gal usually put more time into recording that lecture because he/she knew it would be there pretty much forever - and the end result is - it becomes easy to follow it, because they're not in hurry and would often "jump back in time" to explain something that you should know, but like - just in case. If the video/tutorial is going to be there forever, he/she might as well put the 110% effort in it.
On the other hand, when you go to university "in person", you have to rely on how the instructor feels today, whether he/she's happy or sad, angry or something else. I know those are not traits of professionals, but to be honest - teachers/instructors are human being after all and I understand why they can behave like that. I however had some amazing teachers who we at all times absolute professionals and going to their classes was a pure bliss, but sadly those were in minority.
But not only that, I realized when someone teaches a subject well in video form (by also anticipating questions students might have and therefore answering them on-the-spot without having to wait for students to approach him/her and ask that) you're usually left with no questions. Therefore it seems like great use of teacher's time if he/she records a lecture and spend the time he/she would teach it again on something else, while having that previous topic covered and in the medium it'll be forever accessible.
Anyway, those are just my 2 cents.
I have actually been reading about the concept of a flipped classroom where you record all your lessons ahead of time. Front loads a lot of work, but then students can progress at their own speed and get help from the teacher as needed. Doesn't eliminate the need for a teacher, but changes the structure of a class drastically. I've already been thinking about it, but you've certainly given me more to think about.
It's a delicate topic, that's for sure. It also depends on people's preference.
I'm just letting you know one's perspective.
Yes, teacher is instrumental - in the end he/she's the one who prepared/created such material in the first place, of course that person is important.
You can perhaps test it first-hand - next time when you're teaching a class something, try to be a bit more detailed than usual (e.g. anticipate some questions and answer them upfront, and also if there's some prerequisite knowledge that you could go over in like a few minutes, do it - even if entire classroom is nodding their heads "we know that already", I can promise you someone's sitting over there that's too shy to ask for help because everyone else seems to know it already #peerpressureisreal). Then see during that lecture how many people were confused and had questions. The less people that had questions/needed additional help - the more likely what you just did would of have made a perfect video.
Anyway your idea behind remote teaching is already pretty huge improvement I'd say, so thumbs up for that!