1. Week 10 LBSC 690 Information Technology Computer Mediated Communications

2. Agenda Questions Computer mediated communication Computer-Supported Cooperative Work Online communities Educational computing (if time allows)

3. Computer Mediated Communication CMC refers to human communication via computers--including computer network communication on the Internet and the World Wide Web. People interested in CMC study a range of phenomena--from the dynamics of group communication in Usenet news articles to how people use hypertext to shape meaning. from http://www.ibiblio.org/cmc/center.html

4. CMC Applications Email Usenet News Groups –Google/Yahoo Groups Bulletin Board Service ListServ Discussion List Wiki Blogs Chat room Instant Messenger Blackboard, WebCT Video teleconferencing (Access Grid at HBK2119) ……

5. CMC Studies Computer Science Communication Studies Social psychology, sociology Information Studies

6. Plan CMC applications Information services, user tasks Design a process using technologies to support CMC Design systems using CMC to support user tasks

7. Describing CMC Applications How many participants? –One or many When? –Synchronous or asynchronous Where? –Local or remote

8. CMC Applications Email Usenet News Groups –Google/Yahoo Groups Bulletin Board Service ListServ Discussion List Wiki Blogs Chat room Instant Messenger Blackboard, WebCT Video teleconferencing (Access Grid at HBK2119) ……

9. Cooperative systems Same Time (synchronous) Different Times (asynchronous) Same place (local) face to face, classroom tools postit notes, meeting support systems Different places (remote) IM, Chat Rooms, NetMeeting, VTC, Access Grid Email, Usenet news Inspired by the table in Shneiderman’s “Designing user interfaces”

10. http://www.fullcirc.com/community/diffmodes.htm

11. Asynchronous Remote Email: centralized storage –Individual –Mailing lists Usenet: distributed storage –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet –Hierarchical organization comp.edu.languages.natural –Archive: groups.google.com  –Analysis: http://research.microsoft.com/~masmith/http://research.microsoft.com/~masmith/ Threaded discussion lists (moderated) –JESSE: http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/jesse.htmlhttp://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/jesse.html –Example: http://discus.hope.edu/f05http://discus.hope.edu/f05

12. Synchronous Remote Instant Messaging (IM) –e.g., AIM, Windows Live Messenger –Often with audio and video –Sometimes with whiteboard+shared applications Chat Rooms –Whole lines are sent at a time –e.g., http://messenger.yahoo.com/chat.php

13. Windows Live Messenger: Share a Whiteboard or an Application

15. MSN: Sharing a Whiteboard

17. MSN: Sharing an Application

18. MSN: Sharing Whiteboard/Application Wired Internet Connection Tutorial (for MSN 5.0) –http://www.nd.gov/itd/messenger/docs/share-apps.dochttp://www.nd.gov/itd/messenger/docs/share-apps.doc –http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/8/0/f80a2bb 3-10e5-443c-a59c- 9d3de865eb0b/WindowsXP201Tutorial.dochttp://download.microsoft.com/download/f/8/0/f80a2bb 3-10e5-443c-a59c- 9d3de865eb0b/WindowsXP201Tutorial.doc

19. Collaborative Editing Google Docs –Docs.google.com

20. Glass Wall Unplanned interactions Informal communication

21. Synchronous Local Meeting support systems –Brainstorming –Online review –Annotated minutes Example –Teaching theater student tools

22. Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) Work –Grounded in the study of work processes Cooperative –Assumes a shared objective, task Technology-supported –Computers are just one type of tools used –“Groupware” –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_softwarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_software

23. Key Issues in CSCW Shared information space Group awareness Coordination Concurrency control Multi-user interfaces Heterogeneous environments

24. Case Study 1: Virtual Reference http://www.askusnow.info/ Required functions System architecture Adoption

25. Virtual Reference Problems Language Routing (questions to expertise) Collaborative response Low technology requirement Load balancing Transaction tracking

26. Case Study 2: Your Project Team! Face to face meetings Teleconferences Shared workspace on WAM IM-synchronized work sessions –Shared applications?

27. Online Communities Any collection of people who communicate online People Shared purpose –Interest, need, goal Policies –tacit assumptions, rituals, protocols, rules, laws Computer systems (Preece, 2000)

28. The Age of Participation (Slide from Derek Hansen)

30. Social Networks User-generated content technologies on the web –Blogging, –Photo sharing (like in Flickr),Flickr –Tagging (like in delicious),delicious –Social networking (like in facebook),facebook –Video sharing (like YouTube),YouTube Incomplete list of social networks: http://trust.mindswap.org/cgi- bin/relationshipTable.cgi (size and purpose) http://trust.mindswap.org/cgi- bin/relationshipTable.cgi http://www.cs.umd.edu/~golbeck/LBSC690/VL.shtml

31. People Roles Community Roles –Lurkers –Dominators –Linkers, pollinators –Flamers –Newbies –Polly Annas http://www.fullcirc.com/community/memberroles.htm http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/ Slide borrowed from Nancy Atkinson

32. Core Attributes 1.Shared goal, interest, need, or activity 2.Members engage in repeated, active participation 3.Members have access to shared resources, and policies determine the access to those resources. 4.Reciprocity of information, support, and services 5.Shared context of social conventions, language, and protocols. (Preece 2001)

33. Usability & Sociability Support evolving community Design Usability Interaction dialog Navigation Registration forms Feedback Representations of users Message format Archives Support tools Design sociability Policies for: Membership Codes of conduct Security Privacy Copyright Free speech Moderators Assess community needs Preece 2000

34. Sociability Community’s purpose People –Moderators and Mediators –Participants –Lurkers –Community size Policies guiding social behavior Preece, 2000

35. Policies Requirements for joining a community, Style of communication among participants, Accepted conduct (netiquette) Repercussions for nonconformance. Preece, 2000

36. Usability Software supporting user tasks Tasks Users Software

37. Usability – Tasks Exchange information Provide support Enable people to chat or socialize informally Discuss ideas

38. Example User Tasks Compose message Edit messages Send messages to the whole community Read messages Send replies to individuals, discussion groups Access the Web to research the URLs Find and search community archives Read the profile of a participant

39. Usability - Users Physical differences –Console or standalone kiosk Cognitive and perceptual differences –Menu design Gender Age Cultural diversity  Educational training Experience with computers and online communities Disabilities Social and economic differences –Equipment, bandwidth Preece 2000

40. Usability - Software Consistent terms and procedures Controllable Predictable behavior

41. Design Principles of Successful Communities Group boundaries are clearly defined Rules governing the use of collective goods are well matched to local needs and conditions Most individuals affected by these rules can participate in modifying the rules The right of community members to devise their own rules is respected by external authorities A system for monitoring members' behavior exists; this monitoring is undertaken by the community members A graduated system of sanctions is used Community members have access to low-cost conflict resolution mechanisms http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/kollock/papers/design.htmhttp://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/kollock/papers/design.htm (Kollock 1997)

42. Design Strategies of Successful Communities Define and articulate your PURPOSE Build flexible, extensible gathering PLACES Create meaningful and evolving member PROFILES Design for a range of ROLES (newcomers, leaders …) Develop a strong LEADERSHIP program Encourage appropriate ETIQUETTE Promote cyclic EVENTS Integrate the RITUALS of community life Facilitate member-run SUBGROUPS http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189 (Kim 2001)

43. Underlying Principles - 1 Design for growth and change. http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189 (Kim 2001)

44. Underlying Principles - 2 Create and maintain feedback loops. http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189 (Kim 2001) Plan, management Suggestions, needs

45. Underlying Principles - 3 Empower your members over time. http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189http://www.peachpit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=21189 (Kim 2001)

46. Case Study: Online Health Communities Gtube Mailing List Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

47. Online Patient Support Groups Online support group participants include 28% of adult Internet users (34 million) in 2001 Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

48. Who Participates? Better educated Younger Caregivers Patients with –Chronic conditions –Rare conditions –Limited access to professional care Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

49. Advantages Available 24-7 Free Accessible from home Empathetic Semi-Anonymous Holistic approach Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

50. Concerns Quality of information Privacy Deception / Spam Poor medium (text-only) Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

51. Gtube Mailing List Primary Activities Share gtube related information via Q&As “Vent” & support Other –Share info believed to be of general interest –Introductions & welcomes –Exchange gtube supplies –Provide updates on “kiddos” –‘Thank you’s Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

52. Roles, Identities, & Expertise Personal Experiences  Expertise  Role & Identity Variables that influence an individual’s role and identity within community –Identity in other settings (e.g., mother, nurse) –Participation within community (activity level and duration) –Personal characteristics (e.g., location, medical condition, age) –Personal experiences (e.g., eStim participant) Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

53. Major Roles in Gtube List Caretaker (e.g., mother) “Adult gtuber” Medical practitioner Support provider Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

54. Factors Influencing Behavior Change Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

55. Credibility Consistent with personal experience Discuss with medical practitioner Consensus among multiple sources/members Trust author of message –Credentials of sender (or referenced source) –Author has “experience to back it up” –Tone of author & style of writing (e.g., rational, defiant, “closed-minded”) Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

56. Applicability Similar experience (e.g., diagnosis) From “friend” who knows patients situation & treatment philosophy best Discuss with medical practitioner “I trust it all…I don’t doubt their experience for a minute…I certainly don’t assume they were right because they couldn’t see his condition” “I also look at their experience (adult or child, same diagnosis, other similar issues etc.)” Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

57. Risk Assessment When low risk, use trial and error When high risk, research more and consult doctor “I wouldn’t change any med dosage based on someone else’s opinion, but I’ve tried methods to keep the tube site from leaking…”

58. A Look Ahead Must learn to cultivate communities, not simply present information or prescriptions Integrating patient content with professional content Including e-patients in disease research Patient records Slide borrowed from Derek Hansen

59. Discussion How would you design an online community for people who have moved, or are interested in moving (permanently) from Estonia to the United States of America?

60. Course on Online Communities LBSC690 Gateway LBSC708P Communities of Practice –Ning: http://www.ning.com/http://www.ning.com/ Online Communities Toolkit: –http://www.fullcirc.com/community/communitymanual.htmhttp://www.fullcirc.com/community/communitymanual.htm

61. Educational Computing Computer Assisted Education –What most people think of first Computer Managed Instruction –What most people really do first! Computer Mediated Communication –All that CSCW stuff applied to education Computer-Based Multimedia –Just another filmstrip machine?

62. Rationales Pedagogic –Use computers to teach Vocational –Computer programming is a skill like typing Social –Computers are a part of the fabric of society Catalytic –Computers are symbols of progress

63. Conditions for Success Most prerequisites are not computer-specific –Need, know-how, time, commitment, leadership, incentives, expectations The most important barrier is time –Teacher time is by far the most important factor

64. Discussion Point: Computers as Educational Media What are the most salient characteristics –Books –Video –Computers

65. Distance Education Correspondence courses –Focus on dissemination and evaluation Instructional television –Dissemination, interaction, and evaluation Computer-Assisted Instruction –Same three functions w/ubiquitous technology

66. Before You Go! On a sheet of paper (no names), answer the following question: What was the muddiest point in today’s class?