The CMC tool I am most interested in is actually the blog. As I talked about in a previous post, I think it is great tool to not only keep in touch with students outside of the classroom, but also to keep in contact with the parents. I am interested in blogs for possible research as well. My first mini-project will involve the use of a blog to enhance cultural understanding between American students and students from Spain.
Along with blogs, I believe discussion boards are just as important. After all of our readings, I tend to believe that asynchronous communication is better used in a school setting because the benefits to be me are worth the delayed response. Studies have shown that because students have time in acmc to think about the responses and think about what they want to say, they have a better understanding of what is going on as well as decreased stress levels and apprehension. Also, with blogs and discussion boards, students can log on from any computer at any time to participate in the discussion.
Text chat is another cmc tool, but being synchronous it can be stressful and confusing. Text chat, if it worked well, would be great for "off - the cuff" communication helping the students fluency and communication thinking time. However, for me the complexity of the chat, the disconnected nature, lack of non-verbal cues, and rapid progression is not worth the frustration. I believe the more overwhelming text-chat is to the students, the less useful it is.
Now voice-chat, on the other hand could be a better option. The disconnected nature would not be as bad, non-verbal cues in the voice would be more obvious, and students would be able to practice their speaking skills. I believe the only nerve-wracking experience with voice-chat would be the pronunication and correct way of speaking, especially if they were talking to natives.
I believe that in my future classroom or future research, I will lean more towards asynchronous modes of cmc.
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4 comments:
I really like the idea you pointed out of blogs for communication not only within the classroom, but also outside of the classroom.
You're comments are always so the best ever! I hope when I grow up I'll be like you! No but forrill, I completely agree with your ideas about the benefits of asynchronous communication, but I hadn't really thought of it that way until I read your phrasing of it (best comment ever!) Students will be less apprehensive, more receptive and more inclined to participate. Lets hope we can use that to ensure that everyone gets the most out of the class that they can.
Ashley,
I agree with you that text chat may be really stressful/confusing because of its somehow "disconnected nature and lack of non-verbal cues."
Good thoughts - lots of details and reflection! 10/10
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