This paper contains background material for the discussions. First we will give a brief introduction to computer conferencing (CC), somewhat generically and look at both the advantages and the disadvantages of the various "flavors" of computer conferencing. You have to know your tools before you can use them. We will then look at interaction in online learning environments, the changing roles of teachers and students and the role of the online conference tutor/moderator/facilitator. This paper concludes with an extensive bibliography.
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Collins et al. (1996) studied this question.