Lists

15th March '08

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

In my experience with email lists, I have found that discussion can easily stray from the topic. Although straying from the topic can be fun, it can be frustrating when you want a specific topic to be covered as completely as possible within the group on the list.

As the webct discussion board is the first one I have encountered, and managed to place a new topic up, I have found it very good at staying on topic most of the time, and many of the students helpful.

Overall I find email lists easier to access than the discussion board as having to log on takes time. As there is usually no instant response, unless someone is accessing the emails or the discussion board at the same time, the response time is the same.

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

Email list postings are on your computer when you download them and can be responded to later. Discussion forums on the other hand have to be accessed online, read and either let pass or respond to whilst on the forum.

In the former you can keep a record of the emails if you wish. In the latter, by cutting and pasting, you can keep the particular topic.

I think I have got myself utterly confused now.