Exploring Multiplexity: Social Network Structures in a Computer-Supported Distance Learning Class

@article{citeulike:2634762, abstract = {A computer-mediated group is a complex entity whose members exchange many types of information via multiple means of communication in pursuit of goals specific to their environment. Over time, they coordinate technical features of media with locally enacted use to achieve a viable working arrangement. To explore this complex interaction, a case study is presented of the social networks of interactions and media use among members of a class of computer-supported distance learners. Results show how group structures associated with project teams dominated who communicated with whom, about what, and via which media over the term, and how media came to occupy their own communication niches: Webboard for diffuse class-wide communication; Internet Relay Chat more to named others but still for general communication across the class; and e-mail primarily for intrateam communication. Face-to-face interaction, occurring only during a short on-campus session, appears to have had a catalytic effect on social and emotional exchanges. Results suggest the need to structure exchanges to balance class-wide sharing of ideas with subgroup interactions that facilitate project completion, and to provide media that support these two modes of interaction.}, author = {Haythornthwaite, C. }, citeulike-article-id = {2634762}, issn = {0197-2243}, journal = {The Information Society}, keywords = {education-social-web, lecture-13}, month = {July}, pages = {211--226}, posted-at = {2008-04-06 15:15:17}, priority = {2}, title = {Exploring Multiplexity: Social Network Structures in a Computer-Supported Distance Learning Class}, url = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/utis/2001/00000017/00000003/art00006}, year = {2001} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2634762 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2634762 TI - Exploring Multiplexity: Social Network Structures in a Computer-Supported Distance Learning Class JF - The Information Society SP - 211 EP - 226 SN - 0197-2243 N2 - A computer-mediated group is a complex entity whose members exchange many types of information via multiple means of communication in pursuit of goals specific to their environment. Over time, they coordinate technical features of media with locally enacted use to achieve a viable working arrangement. To explore this complex interaction, a case study is presented of the social networks of interactions and media use among members of a class of computer-supported distance learners. Results show how group structures associated with project teams dominated who communicated with whom, about what, and via which media over the term, and how media came to occupy their own communication niches: Webboard for diffuse class-wide communication; Internet Relay Chat more to named others but still for general communication across the class; and e-mail primarily for intrateam communication. Face-to-face interaction, occurring only during a short on-campus session, appears to have had a catalytic effect on social and emotional exchanges. Results suggest the need to structure exchanges to balance class-wide sharing of ideas with subgroup interactions that facilitate project completion, and to provide media that support these two modes of interaction. KW - education-social-web KW - lecture-13 AU - Haythornthwaite, C PY - 2001/07// UR - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/utis/2001/00000017/00000003/art00006 ER -