Selfe's article was informative

Selfe’s article was a contrast in face to face discourse versus computer e-mail sent between group members. In face to face there is a chance that one or two members will dominate the group because of being more assertive than the rest of the group. In the computer e-mail form of collaboration, each person has equal standing. It is less intimidating and is easier to express themselves in writing rather than verbally.

Looking at the students e-mails, there is a great deal of room for improvement, in their grammar and spelling. What I try to do in my e-mails is to be concise and to the point. Their e-mails seem to go on forever. I looked at the e-mails that I have sent over the term and I try to be correct in grammar and spelling before sending them.

Working in my present group the email traffic has flowed very smoothly and we are getting a great deal of work accomplished via e-mail. I think the secret of using e-mail as a collaborative tool is just that using it effectively. That means everyone replies to their e-mails, check their e-mails frequently, and if there are no e-mails contact their group members by other means to complete the task.

Face to face is also a good tool if ground rules are set before hand and followed. These meetings then should be followed up with e-mails confirming the results of the meeting. I never thought that I would be conversing in cyberspace by machine, in real time. Face to face discourse at times could be a disadvantage to one or more of the collaborative group because of the dominance of one or two members of the group.

Computers and e-mail collaboration is less confrontational and each member can feel secure in their opinions and ideas. Yes there are disagreements but these are easier to solve without the face to face confrontation. The intimidating factor is not present and everyone works towards the goal of the group.

E-mails allows for a varying avenues for engagement. Everything under the sun can be sent via e-mail; pictures, video, charts, and text. Through the different sources of media today, we have allowed our imaginations to run wild. Things we never dreamed of ten, twenty, or even thirty years ago have come to pass. As a baby boomer, this computer driven world never stops amazing me.