Collaborative Computer Meditated Communication Computing - PDF document

Topics Collaborative  Computer Meditated Communication Computing  Real-world communication  Email Computer Literacy 1 Lecture 12  How to express emotions in verbal environment 16/10/2008  Chat/Desktop Conferencing (internetphone)  Groupware  Online relationships CMC Factors  CMC = Computer Mediated Communication  Technological  Email  Psychological  Web  Social  Chat  Conversation might convey information or be  Messaging systems phatic (performs a social function)  Desktop video conferencing  Learning environments 1

Real-world Communication Written  Face to face  Letter (pre-computer)  Content  Relationship cues from header and wording  Context  Handwritten or typed  Relationship cues - status, age, gender  Verbose (sometimes you have to be very specific to express yourself, that might take up more  Common ground words)  Body language, expression, tone of voice  Slow (Mail)  Phone  For business it should be very formal  Difference to above is that you are reduced to tone of voice instead of whole body image Email Email  1:1 or 1:many (mailing list)  Informal (even with business contacts)  Many : Many (distribution list)  Lack of relationship cues  Asynchronous  No immediate feedback (but quicker than  No timing link between message send and replay letter)  Facilitates communication between different time  Has “the last word” effect zones  Can be rapid  Relatively private (and can be encrypted)  Location independent 2

Replacing non-verbal cues SPAM  Unwanted email promotional material  Emoticons like smileys  Organisations filter what they can  :-) or (^_^) for happy  Always update own spamfolder  :’-( or (ToT) for crying  Don’t forget to check it from time to time, since normal  Emphasis: email can end up in spam folder accidentaly  Spammer hijack email addresses  “this is a *seriously* bad idea”  when you send emails to a list better use Bcc  Abbreviations (mainly for chat)  Spambots look for email addresses in the  LOL, AFK webpages  so try to disguise Chat  Interactive, online  Synchronous  Multiple participants  Choice of fonts etc…  Can choose names for your chat-personality to stay anonymous  Abbreviations and graphic emoticons common 3

Desktop Video Conferencing  1:1 or 1:small number  Shared applications  Conference talks possible  Full screen images  Easier since webcams and microphones are higher quality nowadays  For free with Skype  Sometimes a bit of a hassle due to connection and stability problems Studio Video Conferencing  Can also be done in lecture theater, big conference rooms  Transmission as well as exchange of information possible  Video feds can be switched  Speaker, speaker slides, local audience  Remote audience  “Follow me” systems steer cameras to speaker  Almost broadcast quality - Needs steady service 4

Learning Environments  WebCT (now owned by), Blackboard, MyEd…  Web authoring package  Visual styles like clip art, buttons etc. are already at hand  Framework leading to bulletin boards, chat rooms etc…  Testing and assessment support Does groupware work? Internet Relationships  Works best with small to medium group with  Forever online strong common interest  Factor anonymity  Works best if people know each other in real  Less inhibited - chance to invent yourself new world or at least have common ground together  Real life relationships go online  Self-perception, self-consciousness effects  Maintaining existing relationship over long distance  Online relationships go Real Life  Confidence with technology can be an issue  Can work without problem  Extroverts can dominate and introverts opt-out  Can go wrong when person doesn’t life up to online  Role of moderator important character  Either because they created a wrong image themselves or other person pictured them different 5

Social Function and Dysfunction Key points  Are internet relationships socially healthy?  Forms of interpersonal communication  It depends:  Lack of non-verbal cues  Functional:  Replacement of cues with emoticons  Breaks down social, geographical barriers  Maintains relationships in an easier way letters do  Use of conferencing and groupware  Dysfunctional:  Online relationships  Facilitates antisocial behaviour  Allows predation on naïve users  Anonymity  How come?  http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech043.shtml 6