This paper describes computer-mediated distance learning experiments in field settings by a rural teacher education program, in which student teachers and a student teaching seminar leader at Northern Michigan University conferenced via electronic mail. Participating student teachers, who were teaching in schools 300 miles apart, were expected to read all class mail weekly and send at least one message to the class each week. Evaluation of the program found that some students faced major problems in getting the system to work, locating a place in the school to set up the computer, and making the necessary telephone connections from the school. Student teachers used the network primarily to share and communicate with their peers. Very little communication was directed either to or from the seminar instructor. Participants reported that the main advantage of the project was the ability to share experiences with one another, and the main disadvantage was the lack of face-to-face contact. The project was not successful in enlisting the participation of first-year teachers or supervising teachers, even though they were offered free use of hardware, software, and telephone lines. Program implementation recommendations are offered. (JDD)