Conclusions
- Critical discussion online has an important positive effect on face-to-face critical dialogue.
- Many students feel more comfortable posting critical discussion online than bringing issues up in house meeting.
- While flame wars can have a negative effect on the social atmosphere of a dorm, mediating forces particular to the dorm setting minimize likelihood of damage.
- Isolated flame incidents may actually contribute to positive development of dorm community.
While the presence of an e-mail list presents the possibility of social danger from flame wars, they are not significant relative to the social and academic benefit gained from increased critical dialogue.
Content and Page Design © 2003 Albert Andersen and Sonia Samagh.
Page last updated 6/3/2003