Computer-mediated Communication in Undergraduate Teaching: Web-based conferencing with Lotus Notes/Domino

Abstract

Web-based, asynchronous conferencing was introduced on a trial basis, as part of the coursework for a final-year undergraduate glacial and periglacial geomorphology course. Conferencing was based on Lotus Notes/Domino software, which provided user-friendly Web access to the conference databases. The conference theme was the origin of drumlins. Student delegates were invited to engage in a critical discussion of four research papers supporting particular theories of drumlin genesis. To add weight to the debate, students were free to introduce other relevant material from the Web and also to refer to conventional journal material. The trial, which ran over two teaching years (1997-99), was evaluated by a short electronic questionnaire, which was part of the conference Web site. For assessment purposes, a complete log of the conference was available both on-screen and on paper, and individual student contributions judged for content, originality and interaction with other conferees.