Computer Mediated Communication: The Power of Email as a Driver for Changing the Communication Paradigm

Abstract

Email has been with us now for a long time and is being increasingly adopted as a major communication tool in UK Higher Education establishments (colleges of higher and further education and universities). As the use of email grows, the effect on communication patterns needs to be established. This paper looks at current communication and working practices within a higher education institution in the UK (the author’s own). A survey has been conducted to elicit people’s feelings about the use of email and how they see future patterns of communication developing within the establishment.