Electronic Mailing Lists
From ElateWiki
Electronic mailing lists (the most famous one being LISTSERV(TM)) are a "lean communications" tool used for collaboration, information sharing, and support for virtual teaming. This software enables people to reach a set of email addresses efficiently and to manage a recipient list.
Electronic mailing lists use a one-to-many model of information distribution in a "microcast" (vs. broadcast) format.
Professional Electronic Mailing Lists
There are larger electronic mailing lists focused around particular professional topics. DEOS (below) is one well known one for distance education.
See Also
“LISTSERV” in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LISTSERV
The Distance Education Online Symposium: http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL2=2164&R=1693&N=DEOS-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU