Computer Mediated Group Communication
*Understanding the Technology and Its Influences on Small Group Communication
*Influences of the Medium on Communication
*Choosing a Medium for the Effective Use of CMC
*Adopting Effective Group Communication Strategies for CMC
Chapter Objectives:
1). Define computer mediated communication (CMC)
2). Describe the electronic meeting system characteristics of group support systems (GSS) and of audio and videoconferencing.
3). Discuss the effects of CMC undercurrents on group processes.
4). Describe social presence and the effects of media richness, synchronous communication, and other influences of the medium on it.
5). Describe methods for choosing an appropriate communication medium using the communication task, the language demand - technology fit, and the communication function techniques.
6). Discuss group process and leadership responsibilities for effective small group CMC.
Understanding the Technology and its Influences on Small Group Communication
Technology affects our Communication, Relationships, and Lives.
It's not a question of if we will use technology to communicate;
It's a question of when, how, and how well.
Millions of people currently share documents by email, post information on the web, use electronic bulletin boards, share videotapes of presentations, and engage in on-line computer chats, telephone audio-conferences and internet video-conferences to carry on their group discussions.
The Importance of Understanding Influential Undercurrents
Communicating through a computer medium is much like swimming in the ocean. It is helpful to understand the undercurrents of the technology in order to plan an strategy for achieving effective small group communication. Ignoring the undercurrents of the medium may mean that finding ourselves out at sea.
Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
Computer mediated communication (CMC) describes communication that takes place through media and provides distributed group members with video, audio, or text-based messaging capabilities. These facilities include computer, audio, and video conferencing systems, computer chat rooms, electronic mail, bulletin boards, list-servers and newsgroups. Many of these systems have software, called "groupware," specifically designed to help groups discuss issues, make decisions, and communicate effectively.
Performance Outcomes of CMC Groups
1. CMC groups take longer to complete a task.
2. In limited time CMC groups produce fewer remarks than FTF.
3. CMC groups perform better than FTF on idea generation tasks.
4. There is greater equality of participation in CMC groups.
5. In limited time, CMC groups perform better than FTF on less involving tasks.
6. In limited time, CMC groups perform worse on social-emotional tasks, but given time perform as well as FTF groups.
7. There is reduced normative social pressure in CMC groups.
8. Perception of partner and task is poorer in CMC groups.
9. In limited time, CMC communication partner perceived less charitably than FTF.
10. CMC groups have higher incidence of uninhibited behavior induced by a sense of anonymous de-individuation.
11. CMC groups demonstrate less attitude change.
Electronic Meeting Systems
Electronic Meeting Systems are groupware systems designed to facilitate small group communication and meeting processes.
Electronic Meeting Systems are of two types:
GSS (Group Support Systems) enhance a group's decision-making abilities and facilitate communication through the computer medium.
Conferencing Systems (computer, audio, video conferencing) provide a structured communication medium for group communication.
Influences of the Medium on Communication
Social Presence: perception that a communication medium facilitates the social-emotional-relational communication and dynamically shared feedback necessary to co-construct a shared meaning among group members.
Media Richness: a rough continuum. Media that do not carry information simultaneously considered leaner in informational capacity; don't facilitate development of social-emotional-relational dimensions of communication as fast. Face-to-face the richest media, then video, audio, and text-based computer-conferencing leaner communication media.
Synchronous-Asynchronous Communication:
Synchronous: simultaneous speaking listening, interactive feedback
Asynchronous: a one-way conveying of information, then back
Synchronous
face-to-face discussion
videoconferencing
audioconferencing
computer chats
Asynchronous
nominal group technique
video recording playbacks
voice mail
Some Effects of CMC Undercurrents on Group Process:
The Interaction of CMC with Group Size, Diversity, and Proximity
Larger groups benefit more; may help increase diversity of groups and ideas; groups in the same room using the technology more aware of personal-social identities; Groups at greater geographical distance less socially connected.
Facilitating Effective CMC Group Communication
As in face-to-face, CMC groups should:
1. Encourage responsibility, promote member ownership of group process and results.
2. Maintain self-awareness and self-expression.
3. Listen to, clarify, and integrate information and ideas.
4. Ask appropriate, well-timed questions, encourage thought and participation.
5. Help keep group focus on, and move toward their goals.
6. Create and reinforce open, positive, participatory environment.
7. Actively build rapport and relationship.
8. Present clear concise information and well-developed ideas.
9. Demonstrate flexibility, willingness to adapt to situation and other group member needs.
10. Help achieve a clear meeting process and outcome.
11. Constructively manage conflict and expression of negative emotions.
12. Encourage expression of multiple and diverse perspectives.
13.Adhere to meeting time limits and discussion ground rules.
In addition CMC groups must also:
1. Have conceptual understanding of technology and capabilities.
2. Have ability to effectively communicate through technology.
3. Be able to create comfortable understanding of technology among other group members.
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