Literacy teachers learning a new literacy: A study of the use of electronic mail in a reading education class

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the use of electronic mail as an instructional tool in a graduate reading class where the instructor and students were non‐experts in the use of computer technology. The data set consisted of all of the e‐mail messages sent by the students and the instructor and the daily journals of the instructor and the student co‐author. The data were read in their entirety and independently coded into themes by the researchers. It was concluded that e‐mail: played a major role in building a sense of community among the class; facilitated the sharing of ideas and resources; encouraged risk taking; helped students reflect on their learning; and encouraged cooperative learning. Several concerns were also identified including: problems with accessibility to computer terminals; student frustration with learning the protocols of the message system and an aversion on the part of some students to use this medium.