Computer-mediated communication or CMC is “describes communication that takes place through a variety of media and provides distributed group members with video, audio, and text based messaging capabilities.” (pg. 261) f2f communication is face to face communication, or a physical meeting. These two forms of communicating are very different. In a class setting like this one, CMC is helpful because the teacher is available to answer questions 7 days a week via email. The response time will be longer than the instantaneous response you would get face to face. Also with face to face communication some students are less likely to ask questions because they do not want to sound stupid in front of a class, but in a CMC setting usually the details are more detailed because the teacher wants to be as clear and concise as possible so question don’t need to be asked as often, but when nessacarry there is privacy.
I really liked how you mentioned the asking questions difference. It is very true, and i would not have thought of this, that CMC communication is an easier way for students to get answers. Not only are some students afraid of looking stupid for a question asked but they could have a very detailed question they may be specific to that student but not the entire class, and by using CMC rather then F2F they can get details answered and ask questions that only be beneficial to that one person.
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading your post and you brought up some great points on the difference in communicating F2F or CMC. I feel that with F2F communication you are able to get instant feedback from the teacher as well as from classmates. If you are working on a project and ask a question through email to the teacher, it would take alot longer to get a response. I have worked in both environments and like both when you use them together in a project. Great Post!
ReplyDelete-Jessica
(jstoltz89)