Abstract
We report about an active learning demonstration designed to use a virtual class to present computer-mediated group communication course concepts to show that students can learn about these concepts in a virtual class. We designated 1 class period as a virtual rather than face-to-face class, when class members “attended” virtually using computer-mediated methods. Students completed 2 computer-mediated tasks: a chat room and a discussion board. The results demonstrated that students' responses tended to match course readings about the benefits and drawbacks of computer-mediated groups. Further, the demonstration allowed us to use information students generated to stimulate discussion in a subsequent face-to-face debriefing.