What does electronic conferencing afford distance education?

Abstract

Technology is potentially offering many opportunities to extend and expand distance learning in the higher education sector. Electronic conferencing, in particular, is seen as a technique which offers opportunities for course delivery and methods of interaction for distant learners. This paper examines the similarities and differences between face‐to‐face seminars and online discussions. Through the concept of affordance it is shown that both benefits and limitations for interaction exist for real and virtual meetings. It is argued that until we fully understand what it is about face‐to‐face interactions that enhances learning, we cannot know what features are required within an electronic conferencing system.