These are discourse issues that virtual seminar instructors need to teach in order to set up a conducive culture for a community of learners. There is an increased student responsibility for learning within this environment. Students often require help from instructors, technicians, or other students to move from confused or frustrated stages. There is often a lack of technical skills for most first time users. Students often report inability to log onto the server during high use times.
Access becomes a serious issue for conference participation.
Adequate hardware, lines, and storage space ease these difficulties. Participation in on-line discussions varies in quantitative and qualitative ways. Faculty need to help students to respond to others and encourage regular participation. Listing course expectations, participation requirements, and protocals as part of the log-in screen helps keep students on track. Technophobia still exists for faculty and students.