Email discussion list - used for similar purposes, but messages are sent by email to all participants. There may be an archive of messages that can be viewed, often in various ways such as by date, author or thread. JISCmail lists work in this way. Educational purposes of computer conferencing Allows socialisation between students Brings a qualitative difference compared with other written communication Allows debate Brings practitioner knowledge Can assist in making students self-directed learners Brings a collaboration that is often not possible in distance learning Can provide a community for critical thinking. Ambiguity is dealt with more easily than in written form Tutors can reflect before replying compared with phone or face to face support.
Students plan their contributions more than in a normal seminar - so gives better quality.
Part time students will communicate with other students for professional as well as course purposes. Tutors may need to make clear when it is appropriate for an assignment or particular use. Conferencing must be shown to be necessary, not optional or overwhelming to students alongside other work. Conferencing may not be the only support mechanism used. Tutors must be proactive from the start to encourage use, but then roles change and perhaps diminish as the course develops and students become more independent in their learning.