ERIC Number: EJ846868
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1492-3831
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Text-Based Conferencing: Features vs. Functionality
Anderson, Lynn; McCarthy, Cathy
International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, v6 n3 Nov 2005
This report examines three text-based conferencing products: "WowBB", "Invision Power Board", and "vBulletin". Their selection was prompted by a feature-by-feature comparison of the same products on the "WowBB" website. The comparison chart painted a misleading impression of "WowBB's" features in relation to the other two products; so the evaluation team undertook a more comprehensive and impartial comparison using the categories and criteria for online software evaluation developed by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). The findings are summarised in terms of the softwares' pricing, common features/ functions, and differentiating features.
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Evaluation Criteria, Higher Education, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Internet, Distance Education, Computer Mediated Communication, Teleconferencing, Computer Software, Computer Software Evaluation, Asynchronous Communication, Verbal Communication
Athabasca University. 1200, 10011 - 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-421-2536; Fax: 780-497-3416; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A