1. Workshop 2: Places for Virtual Communities
Presented by:
June Ling, S’ng
Li Ying, Lim
Wee Leng, Lee
Wei Yoke, Tan
Yin Wan, Chin

2. Outline Introduction Virtual Communities Characteristic
Computer Mediated Communication
Asynchronous CMC
Synchronous CMC
Collaborative Mode
Conclusion

3. Introduction Definition for “Places”
“The particular portion of space occupied by or allocated to a person or thing.”
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Definition for “Virtual Communities”
“A group of people who may or may not meet one another face-to-face, and who exchange words and ideas through the mediation of computer bulletin boards and networks.”
Rheingold, H. (1993).

4. Virtual Communities’ Characteristic
Shared interests
Shared values
Caring and nurturing discourse
A moral voice
Interactive information exchange that takes into account previous communications
A common meeting place
More than two communicators

5. Does anyone know what is CMC?

6. Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
Human communication via computer
Emphasis on interaction between humans using computer to connect with one other
Focus on text based communication
CMC software has 3 categories:
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Collaborative

7. Asynchronous CMC
Communication which takes place at different time or over a certain period of time.
Types of Asynchronous:
List Server
Bulletin Board System
Computer Conferencing
Newsgroup
Voice Mail

8.
Allows users to send and receive messages in an electronic Mailbox
Types of information-text, multimedia data files
Advantages
24 hour accessibility from multiple locations
Cost effective
Fast and worldwide communication tool
Disadvantages
Junk mail
Risk of virus transmission

9. List Server
A list server is basically an list where users can contact others who are on the same list.
Example: ListServ (
Advantages
Can communicate with large numbers of people with ease.
Communication between users with common interest
Disadvantages
extensive list server activities can flood mailboxes easily.

10. Bulletin Board System moderated discussion board
Provide accessible electronic discussion forum to anyone on the World Wide Web (www).
Example: UTS Discussion Board
Advantages
Keep track of discussion
Allow sharing information/common interest
Disadvantages
Offline application is not available

11. Computer Conferencing
A form of electronic communication, where people communicate with each other using a computer network to transmit text between them
Example: Microsoft Outlook
Advantages
Flexibility of meeting
Able to skip irrelevant discussion
Disadvantages
Need same software

12. Newsgroup
A discussion forum for particular subject consists of written notes to a central internet site and redistributed through Usenet
Example: Usenet (found in DejaNews)
Advantages
Discussion content can remain focused
Governed by netiquette
Disadvantages
Usually not moderated
Normally is quite contentious

13. Voice Mail
An interactive computerized system for answering and routing telephone calls, for recording, saving and relaying messages.
Example: Optus Voice Mail Service
Advantages
voice recording allows longer messages
ability to leave detailed, private messages
Disadvantages
Might have difficulty in defining messages

14. Synchronous CMC
requires users to exchange information at the same time, on the same “channel” of communication.
Types of synchronous
Chatting system / Instant messages
Broadcast
Video conferencing

15. Chatting / Instant Messages
A synchronized communication between people at the same time and typing messages to each other
Example: ICQ, IRC
Advantages
Real time conversation
Traceable conversation history
Disadvantages
Ambiguous identity
Difficulty with inexperience user

16. Broadcast
Transmission of radio / television program for public and general use.
Example: RealPlayer
Advantages
Usually free to customers
Up-to-date information
Disadvantages
Expensive set up & maintenance fees

17. Video Conferencing
Discussion between groups of people at different places being able to see and hear each other
Pictures and sounds are carried by the telecommunication network.
Examples: POTS, LAN.
Advantages
Able to deliver information rapidly
Increased access to global market
Disadvantages
Bandwidth limited
Incompatible information transmitted will corrupt easily affecting viewing

18. Collaborative
Tools such as textual chats, white boards, shared editors and video conferences allow distributed team members to work in groups, forming virtual teams.
Team members interact with each others using different modes of communication – asynchronous / synchronous, unicast, broadcast or multicast.
Examples: TeamWave, LiveNet

19. Conclusion
The advances features of SCMC and ACMC have allowed virtual communications to become more efficient and effective.
What do you think is the future of CMC?
~ Thank you ~

20. References
Technologies for Computer-Mediated Asyncronous Communications
Technologies for Synchronous Communications
Centralised Environments
Examining the Reflective Outcomes of Asynchronous Computer-Mediated Communication on Inservice Techer Development