Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) Anindya Sen

Definition Any system that enables interpersonal communication by means of computers and networks Any system that enables interpersonal communication by means of computers and networks Computer conferencing Computer conferencing Electronic mail Electronic mail Discussion lists Discussion lists Bulletin boards Bulletin boards Virtual classrooms Virtual classrooms Computer-supported cooperative work Computer-supported cooperative work

Out-of-Scope Use of computers to access remotely- located databases Use of computers to access remotely- located databases Transmission of text without discussion or argument Transmission of text without discussion or argument Computer-assisted instruction Computer-assisted instruction Computer-based training Computer-based training Same location one-computer collaboration Same location one-computer collaboration

Borderline Voice mail (???) Voice mail (???) Computer-based instruction and some computer-mediated discussion Computer-based instruction and some computer-mediated discussion Remote database access with limited conversation Remote database access with limited conversation

Characteristics of CMC Highly interactive and complex Highly interactive and complex Multi-person Multi-person Synchronous Synchronous Asynchronous Asynchronous

Brief History CMC precedes CAI CMC precedes CAI ARPANET ARPANET Bitnet Bitnet Internet Internet

Proliferation Academic institutions Academic institutions Government/military institutions Government/military institutions Corporate Corporate All levels of the educational system All levels of the educational system

Issues in CMC Technologies in flux Technologies in flux Learning strategies: replicate or innovate? Learning strategies: replicate or innovate? Technological synergy Technological synergy Conflicting theories and philosophies Conflicting theories and philosophies

Theoretical / Philosophical Conflicts Constructivism versus objectivism Constructivism versus objectivism Humanism versus mechanism Humanism versus mechanism Cognitive versus behavioral Cognitive versus behavioral Social constructivism Social constructivism Undominated communication Undominated communication

Status of Current Research Mid-1980’s Mid-1980’s Initially anecdotal Initially anecdotal Usage advocacy Usage advocacy Before … quantitative/positivist Before … quantitative/positivist Now … interpretist/critical theory Now … interpretist/critical theory

Principal Issues Investigated General General Democratizing or elitist ? Democratizing or elitist ? Quality of online information vis-à-vis that of printed material Quality of online information vis-à-vis that of printed material Social impact on users Social impact on users Implementation in distance education and conventional courses Implementation in distance education and conventional courses Aspects of software Aspects of software

Principal Issues (Contd.). Teaching and learning concerns Teaching and learning concerns Content and objectives Content and objectives Learning strategies and tactics Learning strategies and tactics Aspects of control Aspects of control Effectiveness on learning outcomes Effectiveness on learning outcomes

Principal Issues (Contd.). Implementation concerns Implementation concerns Rates of participation Rates of participation Attitudes and participation styles Attitudes and participation styles Implementation and administration Implementation and administration Staff and support system issues Staff and support system issues

Methods Used Surveys – electronic or conventional surveys Surveys – electronic or conventional surveys Direct descriptive research on usage, interaction, and transcript information Direct descriptive research on usage, interaction, and transcript information Conspicuous absence of qualitative and analytical methods and models Conspicuous absence of qualitative and analytical methods and models

Findings to Date Problems with equitable access Problems with equitable access Widespread distrust of the quality of information Widespread distrust of the quality of information Social impact on users Social impact on users Perception of intellectual impact Perception of intellectual impact Software-related Software-related

Findings to Date (Contd.). Teaching / learning concerns Teaching / learning concerns Implementation concerns Implementation concerns

Instruction versus Conversation ParadigmInstructionConversation ObjectivesSpecificPredefinedProduct-drivenStandardGeneralSpontaneousProcess-drivenVariable MessagesDesignedInstructor-drivenOne-to-manySpontaneousParticipant-drivenMany-to-many

Instruction versus Conversation (Contd.). ParadigmInstructionConversation InteractionBehaviorsCriterion-referencedCorrective One-layer thick Ideas Flexible references Constructive Interwoven layers Distance education Correspondence courses Virtual classroom Teleconferencing

Future Research (4 Levels) Policy Policy Strategic Strategic Tactical Tactical Tool Tool

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