Online Communication and E-Learning

Author(s):  
António Quintas-Mendes ◽  
Lina Morgado ◽  
Lúcia Amante

The complexities of computer-mediated communication (CMC) are visible in the diversity of the theoretical models that try to explain the implications of electronic communication. The different approaches are not necessarily contradictory, but they emphasize different qualities or characteristics of CMC. In this chapter we review six of the most prominent models: the Social Presence Model; the Media Richness Theory; the Reduced Social Cues model; the Social Information Processing Model; the Social Identity Model and the Hyperpersonal Communication Theory. Initial studies on CMC tend to view this form of communication as impersonal and very limited in expressing emotions and complex social interactions. However, recent research has shown that electronic communication can promote a very rich relational communication and be effective in problem solving situations, in attaining results and in achieving objectives in tasks performed at a distance. The understanding of these communication processes involves a detailed analysis of several variables, such as group communication processes, the different use of verbal and non-verbal communication channels in face to face and virtual settings, and the social construction of the processes of connecting, bonding and building psychological immediacy in mediated contexts. The studies show that in several indicators of group well-being or in task efficacy indicators, better results are obtained in virtual groups, when compared to their face to face equivalents, as long as the time variable is controlled. A relevant aspect to take into account is that virtual groups take more time to socialize and to reach objectives than do face to face groups. In this chapter we discuss some explanatory hypotheses for these somewhat surprising results and analyze their consequences in terms of online education. We suggest that we now have a reasonable understanding of online communication and interaction processes, and that this knowledge should shape the practices of those who work in Online Education and Distance Education.

Author(s):  
Ruchi Verma ◽  
Nitin Nitin ◽  
Amit Srivastava

Computer mediated communication has connected the globe in such a way that today the whole world connects with a common thread. It has broken all cultural, social, religious and geographic barriers bringing the world at a zero distance level. Unfortunately, among its innumerable advantages, online communication has developed a darker side to it called flaming. With the freedom that online communication offers, the users have started infiltrating conversation with hostile and offensive exchange of words. Due to the absence of face to face interaction, there are various factors such as anonymity, lack of familiarity, absence of social cordiality and etiquettes that promote flaming. This study takes a look at the social context in which flaming occurs. This paper involves a study conducted on one subject in a confined environment. It focuses on the flaming tendencies and patterns. An effort is done to analyze the factors that affect flaming. The response of the online users on current and controversial issues is recorded. It is generally the sensitive issues that attract flaming. Also non met friends have a tendency to shed their inhibitions and involve blatantly in flaming. Another observation is that the male gender has more inclination towards flaming and involves more in contemptuous comments. The Probit Model is used to analyze the recorded responses and draw the conclusions.


2012 ◽  
pp. 1088-1095
Author(s):  
Kumi Ishii ◽  
Brittany R. Black

With the diffusion of networked technology in our society, online communication has become an integral part of daily life, and conflict no longer occurs only in face-to-face (FtF) contexts. Many people experience cyber conflict (i.e., a perceived incompatibility of goals among two or more cyber parties over computer-mediated communication (CMC) or online communication) and manages it online. While research in this significant and emerged topic is scattered across contexts and disciplines, this chapter provides preliminary knowledge by discussing the antecedents and outcomes of cyber conflict as well as factors that affect cyber conflict management. The chapter also offers future research directions.


2022 ◽  
pp. 103-119
Author(s):  
Camelia Marinela Radulescu

This chapter aims at explaining the mechanisms of persuasion for effective communication in online educational environments. It starts by bringing awareness on the particularities of online educational environments and the psychological prerequisites of online studying. It tackles issues of digital skills as well as emotional intelligence abilities for online teaching, specific mindset and digital readiness, result expectations and assessment. Moreover, principles of microlearning and hybrid learning are explained as major approaches in online education. It then addresses issues related to technology-mediated communication with young ages vs. adults. It makes a brief analysis of mediated communication vs. direct communication in terms of adopted strategies according to age, adaptation of message, and feedback according to the online channel of factors affecting communication in online environments vs. face-to-face communication. Particular attention will be given to digital stress.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veera Ehrlén

This case study examines contemporary recreational sports practitioners’ communication practices and social tie formation from the perspective of two lifestyle sports disciplines: climbing and trail running. Online survey results from 301 climbers and trail runners from Finland indicate that computer-mediated communication (CMC) has established its place in recreational lifestyle sports cultures; however, it has not done it at the expense of face-to-face (FtF) communication. Online interaction produces weak social ties with instrumental and informative value, but physical location is essential in establishing ties with emotional and appraisal value. This paper argues that it is the sports subculture and individual practitioners’ needs that define how interaction is realized, and what importance different online and off-line communication practices have. Besides studying communication practices, this case study explores the social meanings practitioners attribute to their social contacts.


Communication ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Ju Lee ◽  
Soo Youn Oh

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is an umbrella term that encompasses various forms of human communication through networked computers, which can be synchronous or asynchronous and involve one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many exchanges of text, audio, and/or video messages. Early research has focused largely on how mediation by technology alters the processes and outcomes of social interaction and group processes, addressing issues such as how people express and construe self-identity, form and manage impressions, develop and maintain relationships, build communities, collaborate at a distance and make collective decisions, mostly in contrast to non-mediated, face-to-face communication. As such, core theories that guided earlier studies highlight the dearth of socio-contextual information as the defining characteristic of CMC working to its disadvantage. However, they were soon challenged by alternative models underscoring individual users’ active accommodation to the limited channel capacity and even more strategic appropriation of the constraints of the medium. In a similar vein, the dichotomous view that differentiates the “real” from the “virtual” gradually was replaced by the perspective that underscores the blurring boundary and the fluid interaction between the two. At the same time, researchers have also investigated who turns to online communication as opposed to offline, face-to-face interaction, and with what consequences. Going beyond dyadic interaction between unacquainted individuals, social and psychological implications of CMC have also been examined in various contexts, such as distributed workgroups (computer-supported cooperative work: CSCW), social network sites (SNSs), and online games.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. a16en
Author(s):  
Elaine Jesus Alves ◽  
Denilda Caetano de Faria

In 2020, the world was plagued by a pandemic that demanded the social isolation of people from all over the planet to prevent the rapid spread and overcrowding of hospitals. In the educational field, face-to-face classes have been suspended in more than 150 countries. Some institutions started to use technological resources to offer remote education. The pandemic highlighted issues such as the unpreparedness of education systems and teachers, inequalities in access to the internet and students' computers, among others. Considering that technologies have been part of the daily life of schools for more than 30 years, in this atypical moment there is a strangeness among teachers in their improvised use with their students. This article aims to reflect what this pandemic situation has taught us about online education in Brazil and the perspectives that we can see in this field in the post-pandemic scenario.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-415
Author(s):  
I. Darginavičienė ◽  
I. Ignotaitė

Most authors admit that code-switching is the process of switching different languages, their varieties, speaking styles, etc. Today the majority of people in the world are multilingual and often mix languages in different ways, which makes code-switching a quite common global phenomenon. Code-switching incorporates government, cultural, religious and network contexts, and the frequency of code-switching in such multilingual conversations is an indicator of the global dominance of multilingualism. Online communication fosters social communicative practices consisting of code-switching and marks the development of verbal behaviour of multilingual communities. Code-switching also affects language visuality, its images are tools for the social construction of reality. The developed verbal practices support effective communication and affect the expression of new meanings. The article aims at presenting the features of code-switching in digital communication with 8 examples of different length, topic and author, in which the native Lithuanians code-switched to English and used elements of the Internet language. These examples were taken from the social networks Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the authors analyzed the grammar, spelling and punctuation of both Lithuanian and the English words, the type and use of the code-switched English elements, special characters, abbreviations, emoji and other features of the Internet language. The results show that online communication is not entirely textual, with various means of text composition communicators make their code-switched English elements more visible and alter the appearance of messages. Such practices correspond to the features of social networks and seem to follow the popular Internet culture trends.


2008 ◽  
pp. 1096-1110
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.


2011 ◽  
pp. 101-115
Author(s):  
Blanchard ◽  
Blanchard

Sense of virtual community is an important component of successful virtual communities. Defined as members’ feelings of belonging, identity, and attachment with each other in computer-mediated communication, sense of virtual community distinguishes virtual communities from mere virtual groups. Sense of virtual community is believed to come from members’ exchange of social support as well as creating their own identity and learning the identity of others members. It is believed to lead to positive outcomes such as increased satisfaction and communication with the virtual community as well as to greater trust and social capital in the larger face-to-face community or organization. Future research will be able to further develop the theoretical and empirical contributions of sense of virtual community in computer-medication communication research.


Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.


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