Student Self-Support in a Computer Mediated Communication Environment, At . . .

This dissertation is a study of the use of a Computer Mediated Communication environment to support peer interaction and self-help groups, in a postgraduate level at the Institute of Education. In the literature review the nature of learning has been discussed and the educational and social benefits of collaboration and cooperation have been pointed out. Different aspects of using CMC both synchronously and asynchronously have also been introduced. The online environment examined in this study existed independently to my involvement. The collection of the messages lasted for a five-month period of time and data was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Additional data to support my analysis have been provided from fieldnotes, informal, and semi-structured interviews. The analysis revolved around three main areas: the way the environment was used, the "openness" and the "closure" of the environment, and the different positions established in the groups. Data analysis suggested that the online environment was mainly used as an online space for the publication of information, and as a supplementary, to the face-to-face environment, medium for communication whereas its socialising role was interlined. These findings were consistent to the literature. It was also suggested that whereas the environment has been "open" in terms of the content of the discussion, it has been "closed" in terms of membership. It was also indicated that members were taking up different positions in the groups inconsistently because of the informal character of the environment. It was finally suggested that the online environment was mostly used as a medium for the development of more in-depth arguments, in agreement with the literature, rather than with the development of more in-depth di..