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Chapter 2 Collaboration Information Systems
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Figure 2-10
Videoconferencing Example
Source: Tom Merton/Getty Images

the team must meet asynchronously, most students try to communicate via email. The problem
with email is that there is too much freedom. Not everyone will participate because it is easy to
hide from email. (Was Felix, in the opening scenario, really unable to open the attachment?) Email
threads become disorganized and disconnected. After the fact, it is difficult to find particular emails,
comments, or attachments.
Discussion forums are an alternative. Here, one group member posts an entry, perhaps
an idea, a comment, or a question, and other group members respond. Figure 2-11 shows an
example. Such forums are better than email because it is harder for the discussion to get off track.
Still, however, it remains easy for some team members not to participate.

Figure 2-11
Example Discussion Forum
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