In reference to a post which reminds us that Blackboard sites are hidden from the rest of the world, Randy of CarvingCode writes,

I'm more and more less and less at ease with what "we" are doing in online education. Many faculty are ignorant of the larger issues of keeping content behind the WebCT/Blackboard/eCollege, etc. firewalls. Financial reasons aside: why are we doing this if we aren't going to make it available? Isn't their a larger good to be gained by opening the door?

I agree, Randy. There is a larger good.

But for most teachers and institutions, I think it's about Fear:

Fear of loss of control.

Fear of being exposed.

Fear that colleagues and administrators will misinterpret teaching practices
when they get a big glimpse but not the whole picture.

Fear that colleagues and administrators will see exactly what is going on.

Fear that students will misbehave.

Fear that parents will complain more about classes.

Fear that other teachers will copy course materials and syllabi.

Fear that the university can't control course materials and syllabi which they
own.

Fear that students can copy from other class sites.

Fear that students can collaborate with and learn from other class sites without
the teacher.

Fear that others might learn from class sites without paying an institution.

Fear of joining that which is not clearly understood or controllable, the rest
of the Internet.

Fear of anything open, not closed and proprietary.

From my perspective, all I ask is, "Why Live in Fear?"