We engage in some type of interview on nearly a daily basis. We hear interviews on the radio and watch them on television. Students in my interviewing classes quickly realize that effective interviewing is much more complex and difficult than they thought. Thus, interviews are not defined by the medium used to communicate, but most centrally by the asking and answering of questions. Asking effective questions to elicit relevant information is the heart of the interview.
Interviews are distinctly different from social conversation.
Although we may make polite conversation in interviews and ask questions in social conversations, all interviews are purposive and goal-directed. Preparation is crucial for any interview, and is particularly important in information interviews. I am aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of using the WWW for teaching and learning. Last spring, I completed an online course in online facilitation. Recently, I developed a completely web-based critical thinking course that I will teach in June.