Instructional Communication In Cmc Damian Mann

Instructional Communication in CMC By Damian Mann

Brief

This presentation has been produced as an output of researching Instructional Communication in CMC.

I chose this topic as I was interested in how Instructional Communication in CMC was used in Teaching and how it differed from the traditional teaching environment.

Articles and references with links have been added to a bibliography slide at the end of this presentation.

What is CMC?

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is the communication of people over networked computers.

CMC is generally associated with the use of email, IM/Chat rooms but can also be associated with mobile technology such as SMS text messaging.

Research in CMC is predominantly surrounds the social impact that communication via these various technological mediums has.

What is Instructional Communication in CMC?

Instructional Communication in CMC is generally associated with teaching through virtual environments.

There are both benefits and disadvantages IC via CMC. “Given the fact that discussion should be, and often is, essential to learning, there are both advantages and risks to using computer-mediated communication (CMC) as a tool to enhance learning in the traditional classroom” - Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) and the Traditional Classroom – April Reed, Ed.D. (2000)

IC via CMC can be solely relied upon for a programme of study or can be used as an additional support. This could be through making materials available on a network or using a web based application such as WebCT.

Distance Learning

One of the main advantages of IC in CMC is due to technological advance the traditional environment of the classroom is no longer the only option for learning.

The use of computers and networking means that those which live in remote area’s or struggle with transport can now have access to managed content from the same resources as those is the classroom.

“ The reengineering of education involves not only rethinking the organization of site-based schools, but also finding ways to unite computers and telecommunications and bringing down the schoolhouse walls- a means to deliver instructional content when and where it is needed, whether in the home, the work-place, or the school.” – Z. L. Berge Director Training Systems University Maryland (1995).

Methods

Within the boundaries of CMC there are many methods which a tutor can use to communicate with instruction to students. These can be;

“

One-to-one e.g. E-mail

One-to-many e.g. mailing lists

Many-to-many e.g. Discussion Boards

Synchronous e.g. Chat rooms

Asynchronous e.g. Discussion Boards

Moderated i.e. Tutor controlled

”

University of Edinburgh – Information Services (2008)

Disadvantages of IC via CMC

Students learning via IC by CMC require more self discipline. Students which are less self motivated may loose out a result of the traditional classroom environment. “CMC promotes self-discipline and requires students to take charge of their own learning” Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) and the Traditional Classroom – April Reed, Ed.D. (2000)

There are many options now available for the presentation and structuring of materials for education over the internet. The success of learning via IC by CMC could be based on the preparation and format of the materials (video and/or audio, presentations, text etc.)

Systems implemented for IC in CMC may require a degree of technical knowledge and may result in a significant overhead for teaching institutions involved.

Not everyone has access to a personal computer and students are required to have

“ Using CMC systems requires access to a computer and the internet, and arguably participants require a certain level of technical competence to overcome any difficulties that arise from accessing the CMC environment.”-

People have a varied bandwidth available to them. Some users with slower internet speeds may struggle to experience content fully if it is demanding on connection speed (video/audio).

If solely relied upon removes the face to face social interaction between participants.

Advantages of IC via CMC

Promotes equality amongst participants as those with disabilities who may normally find it difficult to engage in face to face communication can actively participate. “Individuals who face discrimination due to physical impairments or other physical impediments to communication, the absence of the visual information may be a great advantage of CMC” - Monica La Bonte University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Greater access to learning information regardless of location providing a networked computer is present. “Increase information sharing and communication without geographical boundaries” - Z. L. Berge Director Training Systems University Maryland (1995).

Time restrictions which would be experienced with traditional timetabled lessons are removed.

Can change the traditional teacher, student role centred learning.

Conclusions

The conclusions from my research into Instructional Communication where;

IC through CMC Utilizes the mediums/technology for teaching purposes and creates a solution to distribution and management of learning materials.

“ There are technical benefits to using CMC, such as the ease of circulating and archiving files and documents (e.g., teacher messages, student work, assignments) (Zane Berge and Mauri Collins)”

IC via CMC can be used as an additional support to a programme of study or entirely.

Promotes equality amongst participants through reduced social cues.

“ Those who are isolated due to geographical distance, disabilities, shyness, or other barriers to face-to-face communication are able to overcome them using CMC” (Parks & Floyd, 1996).”

Removes physical boundaries (geographical location) and time limitations.

“ One of the benefits of CMC is its ability to liberate education from the constraints of time and distance (Collins & Berge, 1995)”

Conclusions Continued

What I found most interesting about this area of research was that how many of the authors that had written about IC in CMC believed there were many advantages it was still not seen as an ideal replacement for traditional teaching methods.

In a way the advantages that IC in CMC provides to teaching is much like other technological changes. Even though all text based information could now be viewed on computers rather than in printed form people continue to produce and purchase books as it is still a successful medium.

I believe the benefits of IC through CMC provides an excellent alternative to the classroom for communication between both tutors and students. Reduced social cues mean those who may be discriminated against or those who are not as successful in oral participation can make an equal contribution. The availability of learning materials at any location with a computer and connection to the internet mean learning is unrestricted by normal constraints (time, distance).

Bibliography

Computer-Mediated Communication and the On-Line Classroom in Distance Education: From Marks in the Sand to Computer Conferencing Via Fiber Optics - - Z. L. Berge Director Training Systems University Maryland (1995). http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/monograph/CD/Technological_Tools/Berge.html