The computer-mediated communication (CMC) classroom: a challenge of medium, presence, interaction, identity, and relationship

This was an awesom article, well written, citations for future reference and made me want to read more. Ranks #1 for the additional readings bar none. Probably should have been an initial reading at the beginning of the class so it could help us who are doing CMC education research for our final projects.

My thoughts: However I would have to question the authenticity of his initial quote about CMC being anointed “a concern for its negative psychosocial consequences and or lack of effectiveness as an instructional tool. “ It almost sounds like an analogy similar to the coining of the word “counter-culture” that described in the social movement 1960’s. Or defining music such as “alternative rock”, well what was alternative rock an alternative too?

The Carrell and Menzel citation is too old to be relevant in this study as technology has rapidly advanced they found ‘‘no proof that the new technologies offer anything to the educational process to warrant the time and expense that conversion to these technologies requires’’ New technology back in 2001 was a video conference room at a Kinko’s with a Mac lab complete with Netscape 2.0.

Schwartzman hit the nail on the head with his quote on 498. Effective teaching relies on effective planning on the teachers part, or lack thereof. Teachers must be proactive and set forth principles of using technology. Not reactive when the technology is already upon us and ready to change.

Rice and Markey summarize a recent review stating simply that the psychological effects of CMC ‘‘can sometimes be a positive . . . and can sometimes be a negative experience’’ Well that’s a 50/50 split in the odds so it could be worse in terms of CMC being utilized. Any educator would agree that any lesson has the probability at the worst case scenario fits this rate of success.