Teacher/Student Relationships--Online and F2F

What is unique about the teacher/student relationship in online vs F2F class?

• Students may be more apt to pose a question to a teacher online than they might in a large classroom where it may be judged a stupid question by their peers.
  
• Teachers have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with students through emails and comments on blogs, wikis, etc. Although, the quality of that interaction will depend on the number of students in the class and the time investment the teacher is willing to make. During this connection, the teacher can also provide links to other information that may be of interest to the student. It is not that this cannot happen in a F2F environment, it's more likely to be timely and happen with a broader reach of students.
  
• The nuances of nonverbal communication, gestures and body language are missing in communicating humor, angst, compassion, etc. The relationship is built on the strength of the written word. Technology can help mitigate this through video chats, webinars, and teleconferences.
  
• Teachers can maintain relationships with students who may have barriers to attending classes during regular school hours due to illness, discipline status, social issues, etc.
  
• Teachers can develop realtionships with students where communication barriers exist. Technology can be leveraged to enhance learning through translators, text readers, and other assistive technologies.