The practical use of email lists as class discussion forums in an advanced course

In 1999 Central Queensland University's School of Computing and Information Systems offered a computer programming course in a totally online delivery mode. Academic support from the lecturer was provided, in total, by means of email lists to which all class members were expected to subscribe. It was found that a single class email list was insufficient to cater for the needs of advanced students. This two-year study of the course email list usage demonstrates the benefit of providing advanced online students with an advanced topic discussion forum so that the general class email forum can be freed up for core business. It also demonstrates that totally on line students tend to use the class email list as a primary workroom for assignment preparation.