Computer-mediated communication (CMC) begins with a different set of assumptions about learning and instruction- Do you really need to be face to face for learning to occur? CMC enables people who are not proximate to each other to share programs, files and gives them the ability to work and learn together. The Internet is the main ingredient that facilitates CMC. Distance learning and email are perhaps the most familiar of the CMC technologies, though CMC can be useful to teachers in the same building.

CMC can be synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous (delayed) communication. The types of CMC are:

Information Access and Retrieval (One Alone);

E-Mail (One-to-One);

Bulletin Boards (One-to-Many); and

Computer Conferencing (Many to Many)

The process of information retrieval, e-mail, bulletin boards and computer conferencing produce a variety of artifacts such as files, messages, bulletin boards and online journals and news networks.

1. Be sure that you are comfortable with all aspects of telecommunications. In other words, practice first.

2. Conduct chalkboard and paper simulations before going online. (Skip this if the kids are pretty literate.)

3. Test the network. How reliable is it for using with kids. Slow or intermittent connections will rapidly tire the students.

4. Demonstrate the actual search process to the students. Teach them how to do digital searching.

5. Organize the students in pairs or small groups so that they can assist each other while searching databases.

6. Monitor the students while they work. They may need assistance.

1. Students can develop their social skills on a national and international level.

2. Some research indicates that many students, especially the shy ones, are better able to interact using CMC.

3. CMC provides opportunities for professional growth without traveling. Long term electronic dialogues can be established.

4. CMC is never closed. Never.

5. Students can disagree without excessive conflict.

6. CMC facilitates collaborative learning.

7. Students contribute far more to discussions using CMC. The instruction is far less teacher centered.

CMC is the fastest growing of all mind tools. Its potential appears to be unlimited. Its problems may be unlimited as well.