The authors were interested in how and why students use computer-mediated communication (CMC).
Method
Electronic messages sent by 76 social work students enrolled in a distance education course were examined. Responses to a survey with regard to the usefulness of these technologies were also analyzed.
Results
Students attending at distant sites were more likely than on-campus students to use both e-mail and the course listserv. Students used the technology more often for practical reasons than for academic enrichment. At the end of the term they reported increased competence in using CMC and expressed positive opinions about these technological supports.
Conclusions
CMC presents a partial remedy for the real and perceived isolation of students taking classes at distant sites. It does not, however, automatically augment learning.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BrookfieldS. (1987). Developing critical thinkers (1st ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
2.
ConklinJ., & OsterndorfW. (1995). Distance learning in continuing social work education: Promise of the year 2000.Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 6(3), 13–17.
DillionC. (1989). Faculty rewards and instructional telecommunications: A view from the telecourse facility.American Journal of Distance Education, 3(2), 35–43.
5.
D'souzaP. V. (1991). The use of electronic mail as an instructional aid: An exploratory study.Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, 18, 106–110.
6.
D'souzaP. V. (1992). Electronic mail in academic settings: A multipurpose communication tool.Educational Technology, 32(3), 22–25.
7.
FastM. (1995, April). Interaction in technology: Mediated, multisite, foreign language instruction. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
8.
FlynnJ. P. (1987). Simulating policy processes through electronic mail.Computers in Human Services, 2(1/2), 13–26.
9.
FolaronG. (1995). Enhancing learning with e-mail.Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 12(1/2), 3–18.
10.
HuffM. T. (1998). A comparison of critical thinking in an interactive television social work course. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of South Carolina, Columbia.
11.
KarayanS., & CroweJ. (1997). Student perceptions of electronic discussion groups.T.H.E. Journal: Technological Horizons in Education, 24(9), 69–71.
12.
KnowlesM. (1990). The adult learner: A neglected species (4th ed.). Houston: Gulf.
13.
LattingJ. K. (1994). Diffusion of computer-mediated communication in a graduate social work class: Lessons from “the class from hell.”Computers in Human Services, 10(3), 21–45.
14.
LipseyM. W. (1990). Design sensitivity: Statistical power for experimental research.Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
McGivenJ. (1994). Designing the learning environment to meet the needs of distant students.Journal of Technology and Learning, 27(2), 52–57.
17.
MeyersC., & JonesT. (1993). Promoting active learning: Strategies for the college classroom (1st ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
18.
MooreM. (1989). Three types of interaction.American Journal of Distance Education, 3(2), 1–6.
19.
MooreM., & KnightP. (1993). Is teaching like flying? A total systems view of distance education.American Journal of Distance Education, 7(1), 1–10.
20.
ParkerA. (1997). A distance education how-to manual: Recommendations from the field [Online]. Available: www.webcom.com/journal/parker.html.
21.
RogersE. M. (1983). Diffusion of innovations (3rd ed.). New York: Free Press.
22.
RomiszowkiA. J., & de HaasJ. A. (1989). Computer-mediated communication for instruction: Using e-mail as a seminar.Educational Technology, 29, (10), 7–14.
23.
ShaleD., & GarrisonR. (1990). Education and communication. In GarrisonR., & ShaleD. (Eds.), Education at a distance (pp. 23–39). Malabar, Florida: Krieger.
24.
SiegelE., JenningsJ., ConklinJ., & FlynnS. A. (1998). Distance learning in social work education: Results and implications of a national survey.Journal of Social Work Education, 34, 71–80.
25.
SliwaS. (1994). Re-engineering the learning process with information technology.Academe, 80, 8–12.
26.
ThyerB. A., PolkG., & GaudinJ. G. (1997). Distance learning in social work education: A preliminary evaluation.Journal of Social Work Education, 33, 363–367.
27.
ThyerB. A., ArteltT., MarkwoodM. K., & DozierC. D. (1998). Evaluating distance learning in social work education: A replication study.Journal of Social Work Education, 34, 291–295.
