Much is written about the benefits of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) but many accounts report problematic interactions and less than desirable outcomes for attempts at CSCL. A theoretical approach is presented that is grounded in a social identity perspective of groups and seeks to promote and support successful collaborations. Using this approach, along with examples … Read more
An interesting talk on the uses of Social Media by academics by Andy Miah who is Director of the Creative Futures Institute & Professor of Ethics and Emerging Technologies, University of the West of Scotland. Andy discusses the benefits of social media for journal editors, not only for publicity, but also as a platform for conversations, for … Read more
Martin Lea – Research & Design I’m an independent researcher who writes and publishes in books, academic journals and online. Here on my website I provide information, training and resources on the topics I mainly write about: Internet Communication, Digital Resilience, Adoption Contact, and Disaster Psychology. I also provide website design and site care services … Read more
This paper discusses social psychological processes in computer-mediated communication and group decision-making in relation to findings that groups communicating via computer produce more polarized decisions than face-to-face groups. A wide range of possible explanations for such differences have been advanced, in which a lack of social cues, disinhibition, ‘deindividuation’ and a consequent tendency to antinormative … Read more
Four reasons why a faculty profile page is no substitute for your own personal academic website. Almost every academic has an institutional or faculty web page that briefly summarises their career, interests, and publications. So should you rely on that for your academic web presence? Here are 4 reasons why I think that’s problematic.
The reader is asked to tolerate a degree of egocentrism if this chapter appears to be written from an “ingroup” point of view, particularly with an emphasis on our own theoretical slant, and to some extent research. This is after all meant to be a general overview chapter on social identity and CMC. Our excuse … Read more
Groups are traditionally defined in terms of the interpersonal bonds that exist between group members and thus cohesion is based on the strength of those bonds. The transition of this definition of the group onto online groups leads to attempts to emulate face to face behaviour through presentation of group member pictures, video and detailed personal descriptions. However, … Read more
The use of Internet communications has increasingly become part of our lives both at work and at home, for business and for recreation. Internet communications are augmenting and substituting for many of the interpersonal and group interactions that were previously conducted face-to-face. Surveys have repeatedly shown that electronic mail benefits business as a replacement for … Read more
Internet Communication Research and Design [one-half-first] I’m interested in understanding how people communicate, relate and behave on the Internet, Social Media and the Web. I do independent research, write and publish in books, academic journals, and online. I provide academic website design services for researchers, authors, educators and therapists. Join my readers for free resources, … Read more
CMC provides a new paradigm for research into general deindividuation phenomena that can usefully clarify some of the complexities in earlier deindividuation research as well as test the intervening processes that deindividuating contexts supposedly activate. For example, it enables one to manipulate anonymity and identifiability independently from physical isolation and co-presence. Conceptual distinctions between different … Read more
