Abstract
There is an increasing amount of research examining the role of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in a variety of educational settings. Online courses are of particular interest to adult learners. In addition, we notice that communication research rarely studies adult learners, who provide increasing numbers in our face-to-face and computer-mediated classrooms. The purpose of this research is to investigate the interaction that occurs between adult learners in an online course. Specifically, the hyperpersonal framework is used as a lens to examine how participants communicate with one another. The hyperpersonal framework components (receiver, sender, channel, and feedback) were evident through a qualitative analysis of postings. Implications reveal instructors would be well served to understand the interpersonal and hyperpersonal interactions that occur online. In both CMC and traditional classroom settings, adult learners are rarely studied, creating a rich research opportunity for instructional communication scholars.
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Recommended Citation
Dickmeyer, Linda B. and Knox, Ronda
(2004)
"Computer Mediated Communication and Adult Learners: A Case Study of Messages using the Hyperpersonal Framework,"
Speaker & Gavel: Vol. 41:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/speaker-gavel/vol41/iss1/4