Conference Papers

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Computer conferencing and electronic messaging technology has been around since 1970, but it wasn't until a decade ago that such systems were adapted for use in the classroom. By the early 1980's courses combining computer-mediated communication (CMC) and face-to-face instructional modes were being offered at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan, among others. Educational applications of CMC technology have received more widespread attention since the late 1980's as results from early studies showed how effective a pedagogical tool this new medium could be.

An extensive trial study of on-line discussions was conducted at Northwestern University during the 1992-3 academic year. The results of this study show that student members of on-line discussion sessions learned more and participated more than their counterparts who took part in face-to-face discussions only. Moreover, nine out of ten students in the classes where computer-mediated discussions were offered recommended that on-line forums be made a regular feature of undergraduate courses.

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Teaching Politics is published by William J. Ball (ball@tcnj.edu)