An interesting pedagogical discussion popped up on Slashdot (a discussion forum that focuses on tech news) yesterday.

A user posted the question, "If lecture podcasts are available, will students skip class?" The ensuing discussion -- mostly from college students -- had little in it about podcasts, but, rather, debated whether or not attendance is beneficial or necessary. For me, it was an interesting glimpse into how students view professors and the lecture process.

Podcasts of University Lectures?
Posted by Cliff on Monday September 04, @09:09PM
from the not-a-bad-idea dept.

theslashdot asks: "I'm working at a major university in the US, and have been charged with posting pod-casts of class lectures on the internet. The problem is whether or not posting the videos would allow students to skip class and just download the lecture, instead. . . . I guess the problem is trying to strike the right balance between allowing good students to take advantage of this resource, but discourage bad students from staying at home all the time and watching all the lectures right before the exam. So what methods can be used to provide these pod-casts for the students who actually attended class? In terms of when the lecture should be posted, what would be a good time-frame? Immediately after the class? 24 hours? One week? One class behind schedule?"

Read original article.