1. Using examples from the reading, define (1) CMC and (2)
the scope of CMC research. What issues does current CMC research encompass, and
what practices and technologies are considered part of CMC?
“Computer – mediated communication (CMC) is generic term now
commonly used for a variety of systems that enable people to communicate with
other people by means of computers and networks” (page 1). From the perspective
of my personal subjective opinion, CMC is every electronic tool that is used to
day, which enable transfer of information in every form. For example, mails, Facebook,
skype, advertisement and etc. scope of the research of CMC can be group conversations
or work of different individual people. Moreover, if people separated by time
database can be in scope of the CMC research. Any technology that enables
people to communicate through space and time can be considered part of CMC
technology, for example online sources, databases and mails. Current research
in CMC can encompass multi-way communication, when people respond and receive
messages simultaneously, synchronous and asynchronous communication, which
varies in time.
2. Using examples from reading, what are some technologies
associated with CMC? Gives examples of some practices are considered
CMC-related.
“…the United States were linked by
a network named ARPANET, which was so designed as to offer multiple
communication paths between the various nodes or sites in the network” (page 3)
Local network systems, such as ARPANET, were founder of the
global systems such as internet. Internet can be used by the variety sources
and in my opinion it one of the most important technology that can be used in
CMC.
“North American telephone companies to offer low cost rates
for business communication in Europe” (page 3). Telephone is another type of the
technology that is used today in the CMC. Telecommunication is a growing trend
around the world. More and more people using in year after year and it is a
global trend. For example in Kazakhstan, which not so long ago, in villages had
only several phone, now has full access to telephone and the internet.
“The incorporation of graphics, audio, video, and, in the
future perhaps, even simulations of a virtual reality nature, which may all be
transmitted across the digital information superhighways, is opening the
potential for a much richer form of CMC” (page 4). From this perspective it is possible to
conclude that YouTube can be part of CMC, because it give people access to
video, audio and so on.
“…a notable trend is illustrated by the “virtual classroom”
methodologies that have been implemented and researched by Roxanne Hiltz and
her collaborators” (page 4). Given method considered to be one of the new
methods, which apply usage of the networks. It is known that this method is
used by leading coaches in the self-development, as well as individualized and
group lectures and online sources. For example, Kaplan online courses.
“…… interface between remote databases in libraries and
students or may in other ways facilitate the learning process” (page 4). As it
was mentioned from the text another technological method that is used by the
CMC is database. For example, in biology databases, such as PUBMED quite
useful.
3. What are some of the difficulties in studying CMC? Use
the reading to list at least 3 major issues facing CMC researchers.
“one important trend already mentioned is the explosive rate
at which new technologies for communication are being disseminated” (page 3).
Early types of the CMC communication involved text based communication only. For
that reason most of the communication research was based on the text too.
Unfortunately, with development of the technology not all of the research may
be valid for now.
“Another issue that is increasingly facing researchers and
practitioners in the area of CMC is weather this medium should be considered as
an alternative way of implementing previously well-tried teaching/learning
strategies or whether the medium itself may lead to the implementation of novel
strategies that previously were not used” (page 4). Another issue that face CMC
researchers is to find or replicate new methods for their research. It is
difficult to make with constantly developed technologies and process could be
scientific and creative as well.
Another issue faced by the CMC research is involvement in
different debates and conflicts. For example, constructivism vs objectivism,
humanism vs. mechanism, cognitive vs. behaviorist psychology. For that reason a
lot research must be addressed to that theories to solve them. Unfortunately,
for now those field wasn’t studied.
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