Simulation at a Distance Using Computer Conferencing

Abstract

Computing conferencing, a type of computer‐mediated communication, can provide geographically dispersed students the educational opportunity equivalent (at a minimum) to that offered in the traditional classroom environment. Usually the applications of such technology are based on the advantages of the asynchronous communications to provide teacher/student exchanges and student/student exchanges (Barker et al., 1989). This article examines how the real‐time features of a computer conferencing system provide synchronous communication to facilitate a conversational rate of interactivity approximating what would occur in a face‐to‐face environment. The example illustrating this use of real‐time, synchronous computer conferencing, the International Business Negotiation Simulations project (IBNS), is one of many possible applications for this highly adaptable, cost‐effective communication technology.