If I extend students’ autonomy, does my role as a subject expert will be challenged?

Previously, I’ve suggested that my practice should open, in order to embrace new tools and practices. Yet, this opening made me consider that my role as a subject expert could seriously be challenged since:
In hybrid pedagogical spaces, like the ‘online-social-networks’ the hierarchy between the participants is rather unclear
The technology develops so fast that the instructors’ expertise is constantly challenged.


Nevertheless, under sociocultural ideas the notion of autonomy is central in learning. Students in order to collaborate with each, to develop intersubjectivity and to negotiate their meaning socially, they need to experience mutuality: that is they have to feel they have the right to and are able to negotiate meaning on the terms of equality. Therefore, in order students to move deeper into practice they need to develop autonomy, mostly through building relationships with others. 
Furthermore, I’ve realized that the technological advances, progress so rapidly that it is impossible for the instructor to know everything and to always be able always to provide the convenient solution. For example, many art teachers frequently report that their students know more about current technology than they do. 
Thus, the instructor will have to discard the role of the ‘omniscient’ and to extend students’ autonomy, by increasing their responsibility, by educating them how to look for the right answer, how to self-assess their own work and how to discern for themselves what they need. 

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