ABSTRACT
Electronic workbook lET also teaches an MA in Open and Distance Education. The first year of the course uses the EBBS as an 'electronic workbook'. This course does not rely on online discussion for teaching nearly as much as the PDET courses, as the students make much greater use of printed course materials. Students are able to post written answers to the print activities onto the EBBS and therefore get extra feedback from tutors and students. The electronic workbook is also used to ask specific questions about course materials, share resources and chat with other students. Student activity levels It appears to be a general rule in computer conferencing (certainly it is our experience) that of the students on a course one third almost never use the conferencing system (for the MA it is possible to complete the first year without using the system). One third read messages but do not add much, and one third are active in reading and posting. The reason for the differences are many. For instance, some students choose distance education since this mode of learning suites their lifestyle. One student observes in a message:
After a long absence from BBS, I return determined to explore some of its potential. The truth is that I like studying at a distance, even though it's well known that distance students dislike isolation.
