ELECTRONIC MAIL AS AN ACADEMIC DISCUSSION FORUM

This paper describes the use of electronic mail as a medium through which discussion of a range of related topics, as distinct from the exchange of research and other information, can be facilitated. Following a review of the principal features of computer mediated communication, with specific reference to electronic mail, a case study is presented of a discussion which lasted for two months, during which twenty‐two topics were raised by contributors, who were mainly academic staff located in a number of countries. The discussion can be compared to that which might occur verbally at a conference or other meeting, but electronic mail provides a number of features which add to the nature of the discussion. Issues stemming from this use of the medium are also considered.