1. COMPUTER-MEDIATED DISCOURSE
Computer-mediated communication (CMC)
Computer-mediated discourse – considers context, social relationships, underlying ideologies, values, biases, etc.
Chat rooms – real-time, synchronous
Online courses and – asynchronous
Computer conferencing

2. COMPUTER CONFERENCING
Features, as described by Eastmond (1992), Florini (1989), Harasim, 1990, and Hiltz (1986):
       Asynchronocity.
       Structured communications.
       Multiple sites.
       Text-based environment.
       Interactivity.
       Group involvement.

10. ONLINE CONFERENCING More equitable distribution of communication
- everyone has an equal opportunity to post messages and express himself or herself
- no one easily dominates the conversation

11. SOCIAL PRESENCE A sense that the interactors are physically present
A social need
Nature of the online medium poses a challenge

12. LIMITATIONS OF ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE CONFERENCES
Not real-time communication
Absence of nonverbal cues from the interaction - impersonality

13. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION
Nature of text: “written talk” (Tornow, 1997)
Self-representation
Development of Social Presence

14. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION (continued)
CMC users develop an ability to express missing nonverbal cues in written form
Emoticons   8-) §:-0
Emoting in text ‑ using a word or phrase enclosed in angle‑brackets or asterisks <sigh>, <grin>, <madememad!!!>,

15. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION (continued)
Acronyms (LOL, ROTFL)
Verbalized pauses for thought <hhhhhmmmmmmm>, <er...>, movement and gesture <tiptoeing in quietly>, and
< ??? ‑ scratching my head!>
Playfulness and humour
Displaying shared interest