We also wanted to test others' experience that conferencing encourages a more critical perspective in undergraduate students and can liberate more timid students. 4 Other aims were more practical. It is the policy of the department not to segregate the students from different courses and years, but to run mixed groups. A major advantage of email seminars is that they are extremely practical for students and staff alike as contributions are made whenever convenient for the individual. Finally, it makes sense to make use of the excellent mail software already in place in the department.
All students have accounts on the network and full Internet access.