Describes the use of a computer conferencing program, Confer II, in freshman college composition classes. Benefits discussed include the opportunity to expand classroom discussions; promotion of interactions between students, both class-related and purely social; and exploration of the link between conversation and expressive writing. (five…

Discussion of computer conferencing as a collaborative learning strategy and a group-oriented decision-making process highlights a study of undergraduates at the University of Delaware who participated in a computer conference. Technical responsibilities, strategy development, debate advancement, and user temperament are examined; and the value of…

Discussion of computer-mediated communication in education focuses on online collaboration. Highlights include characteristics of a collaborative group, including participation, interaction, and interdependence; collaborative situations; non-collaborative groups, including cooperation without collaboration; factors that promote or inhibit…

Discusses the implementation of computer conferencing (CC) as a learning environment to supplement classroom instruction at the postsecondary level. The teacher's role, student characteristics, group dynamics, benefits and limitations, and orientation and training in computer conferencing technology are highlighted. A figure illustrates the…

Discusses the use of computers in college classrooms as presentation systems, as structured laboratories, to modify traditional lectures, and for self-paced instruction. Classroom dynamics are discussed, needed curricular modifications are considered, appropriate evaluation techniques are suggested, and problems are examined, including a lack of…