NET11 Module 2 Mailing Lists
I have been a member of 3 mailing lists since last year:
- What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?
- Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?
- I joined the above lists because I found it hard to try and work by myself. I was new to Web Standards and many times I had problems and questions and I had no one I could consult or ask for help. By joining these mailing lists, I am a part of a community that strives to help their members. I learn from other people’s questions and maybe one day I will feel confident enough to help others.
- The Web Standrads Group also sends periodic emails with links for light reading as well as organises meetings in major cities every few months (which I haven’t had a chance to be a part of yet).
- I’ve used support forums and eventhough many people get answers that way, I found that more active discussions occured in the mailing lists I am subscribed to. In my last course, participation on the discussion boards was not part of your grade and just did not happen. Most of my communication with my teachers was done via emails, which sometimes were not replied quickly. I also bet the teachers got tired of answering the same questions over and over again.
- In this course, the discussion boards have a few advantages:
- Takes the burden from the instructors to answer repetitive questions. Students can help themselves and find answers to their questions if those questions were asked by others before.
- Gives the instructors an overview of students knowledge and capabilities.
- Makes the students go back to the course area to check what others have been discusing.
- Eliminates the feeling of being alone that is so prevalent with online students.
- And I think I went of topic here (maybe).