Written Communication Apr 1991

Testing Claims for On-Line Conferences

CYNTHIA L. SELFE ; PAUL R. MEYER

Abstract

On-line computer conferences have been of increasing interest to teachers of composition who hope to provide alternative forums for student-centered, collaborative writing that involve all members of their classes in active learning. Some expect them to provide sites for discourse that are more egalitarian and less constrained by power differentials based on gender and status than are face-to-face discussions. These expectations, however, are largely unsupported by systematic research. The article describes an exploratory study of gender and power relationships on Megabyte University, one particular on-line conference. While the results of the study are not definitive, they do suggest that gender and power are present to some extent even in on-line conferences. During the two 20-day periods studied, men and high-profile members of the community dominated conference communication. Neither this conference domination nor the communication styles of participants were affected by giving participants the option of using pseudonyms.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1991-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088391008002002
Open Access
Closed
Topics
voice and style affect and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (21)

  1. Menagarishvili et al. (2026)
    Configurations and Modalities: Student Preferences about Individual/Collaborati…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Herring et al. (2009)
    Symbolic Capital in a Virtual Heterosexual Market
    Written Communication
  3. Moxley (2008)
    Datagogies, Writing Spaces, and the Age of Peer Production
    Computers and Composition
  4. Blair et al. (2006)
    Paying attention to adult learners online: The pedagogy and politics of community
    Computers and Composition
  5. McKee (2004)
    “Always a shadow of hope”: Heteronormative binaries in an online discussion of …
    Computers and Composition
Show all 21 →
  1. Smith (2004)
    Teaching with technologies: A reflexive auto-ethnographic portrait
    Computers and Composition
  2. Blair et al. (2003)
    Cui bono?: Revisiting the promises and perils of online learning
    Computers and Composition
  3. McKee (2002)
    “YOUR VIEWS SHOWED TRUE IGNORANCE!!!”: (Mis)Communication in an online interrac…
    Computers and Composition
  4. Eble et al. (2002)
    The primetime agora: Knowledge, power, and “mainstream” resource venues for wom…
    Computers and Composition
  5. Braine (2001)
    A study of English as a foreign language (EFL) writers on a local-area network …
    Computers and Composition
  6. WOLFE (2000)
    Gender, Ethnicity, and Classroom Discourse
    Written Communication
  7. Wolfe (1999)
    Why do women feel lgnored? gender differences in computer-mediated classroom in…
    Computers and Composition
  8. Hocks (1999)
    Feminist interventions in electronic environments
    Computers and Composition
  9. Blair (1998)
    Literacy, dialogue, and difference in the ‘electronic contact zone’
    Computers and Composition
  10. Braine (1997)
    Beyond word processing: Networked computers in ESL writing classes
    Computers and Composition
  11. ELDRED et al. (1995)
    Researching Electronic Networks
    Written Communication
  12. Selber (1994)
    Beyond skill building: Challenges facing technical communication teachers in th…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  13. Geest et al. (1994)
    The computer as means of communication for peer-review groups
    Computers and Composition
  14. Romano (1993)
    The Egalitarianism Narrative: Whose Story? Which Yardstick?
    Computers and Composition
  15. Susser (1993)
    Networks and Project Work: Alternative Pedagogies for Writing with Computers
    Computers and Composition
  16. MABRITO (1991)
    Electronic Mail as a Vehicle for Peer Response
    Written Communication

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Cooper et al. (1990)
    Computer Conferences and Learning: Authority, Resistance, and Internally Persua…
    College English
Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1080/03637757309375809
     ↗
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CrossRef global citation count: 82 View in citation network →

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