In an online conversation, individuals are not able to communicate through nonverbal gestures. Nonverbal gestures can be anything from (a) shaking your head, (b) shrugging your shoulders, or (c) thumbs up or down. Nonverbal communication helps individuals that are having face-to-face conversations. Face-to-face communication really benefits an instructor because they are able to see whether or not the learner in the course understands the material being presented. Xue-hua (2007) stated that, “Due to the lack of face-to-face communication, a lot of on-line chat-rooms and chatting software are embedded with colorful expressions and cartoons. Therefore, the on-line conversationalists may achieve the effect of natural conversation to some extent” (p. 45).
Unfortunately, in an online conversation individuals may have a difficult time communicating through written language and at times verbally without the nonverbal gestures. Mallen, Day, and Green (2003) stated, “It is often difficult to determine whether another individual is being serious or sarcastic through computer-mediated communication (CMC). Such confusion can lead to numerous conflicting messages back and forth before the situation is resolved” (p. 156). When using any form of electronic communication individuals need to make sure they carefully think out there thoughts before typing them, so it will not be taken the wrong way by the individual(s) reading it.
First, as instructors we should advice our learners to read the plagiarism rules and regulations handbook. Then, I would be sure to explain the expectations for the course. I will also let them know that if they ever need any help or do not understand something, that I’m just a phone call away. Craig, Federici, and Buehler (2010) stated that, “We believe that we can help them learn to practice academic integrity by combining instruction on the proper use of intellectual property with clear guidelines in preparing course assignments and syllabi” (p. 50)..
References
Craig, P. A., Federici, E., & Buehler, M. A. (2010). Instructing students in academic integrity.
Journal of College Science Teaching, 40(2), 50-55.
Mallen, M. J., Day, S. X., & Green, M. A. (2003). An examination of relational and discourse
variables. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 40(1), 155-163.
Xue-hua, A. (2007). Differences between natural conversation and on-line conversation: From
the perspectives of functional varieties and turn-taking. US-China Foreign Language, 5(9),
44-48.
Good analysis, Jessica. While I agree that in some circumstances lack of face to face interaction can be a problem, I find that just as often it distracts from the learning process. A classroom full of adolescent males and females has all sorts of layers of non-verbal interpersonal communication, not many of them conducive to academic learning.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I mentioned Zotero http://www.zotero.org/ when we were talking on Skype. I highly recommend it for anyone working on academic papers and especially people in elearning programs. It makes doing assignments and writing papers so much simpler. It also supports collaborative work and I have started a Zotero group for NCU learners to share more current resources regarding e-learning. I hope you will check it out.
http://www.zotero.org/groups/ncu_e-learning
Please let me know if I can give you a hand getting set up with Zotero.
Your Powerpoint was well done but let's get together on Skype again because I would like to show you how to use an application called Slideshare. I am linking to one of my Slideshare entries to demonstrate.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.slideshare.net/ggatin/design-principles-forpowerpointpresentations
Slideshare will allow you to up load your PPT to the web and post it on your blog. Once it is on your blog, people can comment on the various slides. PPT's, on their own, are not very good for interactive collaboration but uploading them to the web and making them interactive is much more effective way of supporting collaborative online learning.
Thank you for your feedback. I will schedule another meeting, soon.
ReplyDelete