Journalism education and the Internet: Conferring in cyberspace

Mark Pearson, Bond University

Article comments

Interim status: Citation only.

Pearson, M. (1995). Journalism education and the Internet: Conferring in cyberspace. Paper presented at the Journalism Education Association (JEA) annual conference: Beyond 2000: Future directions in journalism education, Christchurch, New Zealand.

© Copyright Mark Pearson & the University of Canterbury, 1996

Abstract

This article analyses postings over a week-long period to two electronic discussion lists to position them as communication forms and to assess their potential value to journalism educators and students. The lists — Journet and Stumedia — are examined using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The author concludes that advantages of participation on such lists include networking and scholarly co-operation, knowledge acquisition, a sense of communion, and an opportunity to keep pace with innovation. Disadvantages are the sheer bulk of correspondence, low participation rates, male and US-centricity and the preponderance of "junk mail".