'Let's you and me have a little discussion': computer mediated communication in support of campus-based university courses

Computer mediated communication (CMC) is increasingly used in support of ca mpus-based university courses. This study focuses upon student-student inte raction via CMC in the context a an undergraduate course. The tutor provide d the initial structure for the interaction but did not contribute to the o n-line discussion at all. Data were collected by individual and group inter view, and the electronic exchanges were gathered and analysed. Analysis foc used upon (i) patterns of interaction in the various groups, (ii) the influ ence of the tutor's 'virtual absence', and (iii) the students' and tutor's evaluation of the experience. Some students were repeatedly subjected to on -line criticism by peers. However, most felt that both the CMC experience a nd the requirement to evaluate it had given them a valuable opportunity to reflect on this approach to learning.