Digital Age: Week 3

LCH2337 Communication in the Digital Age

Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

  • Definition of CMC:

    • Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is communication that occurs between humans using computers as an instrument.

Understanding CMC

  • Rob Walters's Definition:

    • CMC is the use of computer applications to control multimedia, interactive, and message-based communication, creating effective methods of interaction.

  • John December's Definition:

    • CMC is defined as a process of human communication conducted through computers, involving people within specific contexts engaged in shaping media for various purposes.

Factors Influencing CMC

  • CMC involves human contexts following offline communication structures:

    • Individual, Group, Mass, Organizational, Societal contexts.

  • Usage:

    • Individuals utilize internet tools for information retrieval and communication, with email being a predominant form.

    • Group communication has a broader range of activities, harnessing text, audio, and video communication.

    • At the mass communication level, tools applied from individual/group contexts are scaled to larger audiences.

Motivations for Using CMC

  • People engage with the internet for various reasons:

    • To work, play, kill time, or seek social acceptance.

  • Peer pressure and social context significantly impact online behaviors.

Processes Involved in CMC

  • Meaning Creation:

    • Creation of meaning occurs through:

    • Writing emails.

    • Posting articles online.

    • Participating in real-time chats.

    • Building websites and multimedia files.

  • Dissemination of Meaning:

    • CMC facilitates several types of communication flow:

    • Point to point (e.g., email).

    • Point to multipoint (e.g., Internet Relay Chat, email lists, web forums).

    • Multipoint to multipoint (e.g., discussions in chat rooms).

  • Meaning Perception:

    • Engagement in perception happens through text and multimedia on websites, emails, and forums, which may develop characteristics of community including shared purposes and norms.

Socio-cultural Context of CMC

  • CMC operates within social contexts:

    • Human relationships surrounding CMC are crucial and no act of CMC can be fully understood without considering the social systems integrated into it.

Components of Communication in CMC

  • Communication Components:

    • Context: Includes place, time, technology, race, age, social status, etc.

    • Sender: The person initiating the communication.

    • Message: The content being communicated.

    • Receiver: The intended audience.

    • Mode: Can be oral, written, pictorial, video, sound, or animated forms.

    • Style: Can be formal/informal, monolingual/bilingual/multilingual.

    • Media Types: Can include various forms like audio, printed, or electronic media.

    • Recording Methods: These can involve handwriting, digital formats, etc.

Characteristics of CMC

  1. Asynchronous Communication:

    • Defined as communication that occurs at different times, allowing users to send and receive messages at their convenience.

    • Examples: Viewing web pages, composing emails, watching videos, downloading files.

  2. Synchronous Communication:

    • Involves real-time exchanges where participants communicate simultaneously.

    • Examples: Chatrooms, instant messaging (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram).

    Comparison of Synchronous and Asynchronous Tools:

    • Synchronous:

      • Video conferences, audio calls, one-on-one meetings, team-building activities.

    • Asynchronous:

      • Emails, message boards, dashboards, trainings, corporate documents.

  3. Reduced Social Cues:

    • The lack of nonverbal cues in CMC (body language, tone of voice, facial expressions) can result in misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

  4. Anonymity and Pseudonymity:

    • CMC can offer various levels of anonymity, influencing communication dynamics and user behavior.

  5. Text-based vs. Multimedia Communication:

    • CMC can be conducted through text (email, instant messaging) or in multimedia formats (video conferencing or multimedia messaging).

    • Types of multimedia include text, graphics, images, audio, video, and animations.

  6. Global Reach and Accessibility:

    • CMC facilitates communication over vast geographical distances, promoting collaboration, information sharing, and social interaction.

Advantages of CMC

  • Increased Accessibility:

    • Enables global communication, breaking geographical barriers and fostering diverse interactions.

  • Cost Efficiency:

    • Typically less expensive than traditional communication methods, lowering travel costs and resource use.

  • Flexibility and Convenience:

    • Allows users to communicate on their own timelines, accommodating varying schedules and time zones.

  • Enhanced Collaboration:

    • Promotes effective collaboration, facilitating information sharing and resource exchange among groups.

Disadvantages of CMC

  • Lack of Nonverbal Cues:

    • Absence of these cues can lead to message misinterpretation and potential conflicts.

  • Reduced Social Presence:

    • Can result in feelings of isolation, reduced trust, and weakened interpersonal relationships.

  • Privacy and Security Concerns:

    • Raises issues regarding personal information security and the risk of cyberbullying or harassment.

Requirements for CMC Systems

  • All CMC systems require:

    • A common computer network connection.

    • Appropriate software.

    • Special equipment for different communication types (e.g., microphones for audio, cameras for video conferencing).

Types of CMC Systems

  • World Wide Web:

    • Integrates various online resources, allowing text, graphics, sound, and motion communication.

    • Users can comment on web pages in synchronous or asynchronous manners.

  • Email:

    • Users send and receive messages stored on a server, which may include attachments such as files, images, or audio.

  • Newsgroups:

    • Repositories within the Usenet system, supporting public discussions on diverse topics.

    • Users can read articles, respond publicly or privately, and contribute new ideas.

  • Instant Messenger:

    • Interactive platforms for real-time communication via text, video, or audio.

    • Popular tools like Yahoo Messenger, WhatsApp, and others enhance connectedness.

  • Blog:

    • Personal websites featuring regular entries of commentary, descriptions, graphics, or videos presented in reverse-chronological order by an individual referred to as a blogger.

  • Video Conferencing:

    • Facilitates simultaneous audio and video communication among individuals in distinct locations, requiring specific hardware.

  • Whiteboard Environments:

    • Enable virtual interaction where participants can collaborate and draw on a shared whiteboard while communicating via chat.

Learning Paths within CMC Context

  • Technological Learning: Understanding computers and software tools is essential for effective CMC engagement.

  • Applied Learning: Practical use of online communication, searching resources, and engaging in digital platforms.

  • Critical Learning: Evaluating the impacts of CMC on social relationships and values, developing literacy in a digital world.