CMC or Computer-Mediated Communication is
the process by which people create, exchange, and perceive information using networked telecommunications systems that facilitate encoding, transmitting, and decoding messages (December, 1996). It could be divided into two types which are
synchronous and
asynchoronous. Synchoronous happens in real time, for example, when chatting with another person online. Both parties need to be present in front of their respective computers in order to receive the message there and then. As for asynchoronous, it happens in delayed time. For example, email. Both parties do not have to be present when the message is sent as it could be received anytime the other party goes online. CMC is said to be a highly interactive communication since the interaction and feedback received are limitless.
Are you an active or passive participant online? Ever heard of
lurking? In the Internet culture, a lurker is a person who reads discussion on a message board, newsgroup, chatroom, file sharing or other interactive system, but rarely or never participates actively. So, if you are a person who just look at something online but do not respond, you are a lurker. :)
Using e-mail in the classroom setting is one of the way to incorporate the use of technology into the classroom. Students would be able to communicate with the instructor or even their peers online at any time of the day. However, instructors or teachers who wish to accept assignments online should consider setting some basic rules such as time to submit the assignments so that all students will upload their assignments on time. This is one of the asynchronous CMC.
The types of activities which could use synchronous learning are Virtual Classroom or Chat Rooms. Students would be able to have responses on the tack there and then. This is an interactive way to assist learners in their language learning too as there is response from the other party.
