The present widespread interest in the use of electronic media for learning presents an unprecedented opportunity for leveraging the computational medium’s strengths for learning. However, existing software tools provide only primitive support for online knowledge-building discourse. Further work is needed in supporting coordinated use of disciplinary representations, discourse representations,...

Despite its potential benefits, the effectiveness of CMC when used to support learning in higher education is very variable, making it important to identify those factors which best predict successful implementations. A review of the literature from the past few years, presented in the first half of this paper, suggests that, consistent with Activity Theory (Leont'ev, 1978), the critical factor...

Developments in computer-mediated communications are not only providing new opportunities for educators but also changing roles and competencies in learning and teaching environments. Experts agree that teaching online requires different roles and competencies. The literature includes several studies on roles and competencies for online teaching. However, as Le Boterf underlines, roles and comp...

Though many GSS research findings suggest the benefits of restricting group interaction to GSS-prescribed procedures and rules, called a coordination structure, these findings cannot be generalized for all situations of group interaction supports with GSS. There are also many studies that argue for a flexible coordination structure to overcome the negative effects of restrictive coordination. F...

This paper reports on a consumer-focused research and development project aimed at investigating the online communication requirements of people with disabilities in Australia. Results are informing the development of an accessible email software package with word prediction.

This conceptual paper suggests how Politeness Theory [6] – well known in anthropological and linguistic literatures – can contribute to the study of role relations in computer-mediated communication. Politeness, phrasing things so as to show respect and esteem for the face of others, occurs throughout social interchange. The paper reviews politeness theory and enumerates specific linguistic ind...

The focus of education has shifted towards working actively, constructively and collaboratively, as this is believed to enhance learning. The studies discussed here deals with the influence of different CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) tools on argumentation processes during collaboration. The purpose of our research is to investigate the effect of computer supported environments and its t...

Synchronous communication techniques allow participants to contribute from different locations at the same time. The tools available include chat, desktop videoconferencing (DVC) and GroupWare. Although these online techniques are probably the most similar to face-to-face teaching, it cannot be assumed that traditional teaching skills will necessarily transfer successfully or easily. This paper...

The integration of communication protocols into transport systems is a much adored research area today. Much of seminal work has been reported on the topic of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the recent years. Many advanced techniques have been garnered to improve online communication and to promote the security, comfort, and efficiency of ITS. Of primary importance to the effective ...

This paper investigates the impact of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) in distributed teams on real or perceived Information Overload (IO). Typically, these organizations rely on CMC for communication because teams working on joint projects are spatially dispersed and have to communicate across space and time zones. Many of the problems observed in virtual teams seem to be related to commu...