The preference for live sessions might also be a form of signalling and desire for a more exclusive/authentic experience. The signal comes from getting the professor's actual "live" time, even if production quality is lower. Also, top professors might already have video content that is easy for anyone to access, while getting to attend a "live" Gad Allon class is much more exclusive, even if over Zoom. Furthermore, there might be an identity aspect to this as well, for even if all of your courses were fully available in recorded format, someone who took all of those would probably never identify as "one of Gad's former students."
I agree that the exclusivity of the live session is currency. Also the "We were there together" has real value to the student. Having an idea or comment a fellow student agrees with could be the beginning of a business partnership. Having an A-Ha moment and seeing others have that same non-verbal reaction gives a gauge that you weren't alone, or behind, or the last to understand a concept. Even an embarrassing open mic or zoom bomb becomes a story retold at countless reunions. Providing the prepared materials and recordings also allow your serious students to put in the extra work of gaining a deeper understanding - if that is their goal.
The preference for live sessions might also be a form of signalling and desire for a more exclusive/authentic experience. The signal comes from getting the professor's actual "live" time, even if production quality is lower. Also, top professors might already have video content that is easy for anyone to access, while getting to attend a "live" Gad Allon class is much more exclusive, even if over Zoom. Furthermore, there might be an identity aspect to this as well, for even if all of your courses were fully available in recorded format, someone who took all of those would probably never identify as "one of Gad's former students."
That's a great point! When everything is available, the ability to say "I was there" becomes the currency.
I agree that the exclusivity of the live session is currency. Also the "We were there together" has real value to the student. Having an idea or comment a fellow student agrees with could be the beginning of a business partnership. Having an A-Ha moment and seeing others have that same non-verbal reaction gives a gauge that you weren't alone, or behind, or the last to understand a concept. Even an embarrassing open mic or zoom bomb becomes a story retold at countless reunions. Providing the prepared materials and recordings also allow your serious students to put in the extra work of gaining a deeper understanding - if that is their goal.