What is Technology-Mediated Communications (TMC)

The convergence of once disparate voice, video, and data telecommunication technologies and the increasing adoption and cost effective availability of high bandwidth network services among educational institutions, businesses, and home users has rapidly altered the landscape of technology-mediated communications (TMC) in instructional settings. In combination with the use of distance learning technologies, such as Web-based chat and threaded discussion boards that facilitate both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, many instructional environments are increasingly adopting a blended approach to instruction that includes video communications. One of the evolving and dynamic technology tools that schools and institutions are increasingly utilizing or planning for in learning environments is videoconferencing because of its ability to offer media rich interactive learning opportunities (NCES, 2001; USDOE, 2004). The extent to which the adoption of TMCs and the closely related subject of information communication technologies (ICT) has transformed education is an ongoing debate that continues to be the focus of a variety of academic and industry research studies. One subset of both TMC and ICT that continues to substantially alter classroom pedagogical practices and the perceived viability of distance education is two-way interactive video communications also known as interactive videoconferencing (IVC). The use of videoconferencing in education has rapidly grown over the past several decades. As technology rich learning spaces continue to be constructed, videoconferencing has the ability to substantially alter both face-to-face and online learning. Through numerous authentic learning opportunities, social interactions, virtual field trips and experiences, global communications, and increased personalized contact, videoconferencing facilitates diverse instructional strategies in support of multiple learning styles and cognitive development. To fully and effectively utilize this tool, it is essential that educators are continuously trained on and informed of the evolving teaching and learning methods, styles, and strategies enabled through the dynamic advances in videoconferencing and related instructional technologies. With these changing pedagogical practices and the increasing use of blended learning, new ways of measuring interaction and evaluating instruction need to be developed and teachers will need to be trained on its use and best practices. This and the institutional sustainability of these endeavors are critical aspects of this author’s ongoing research as well as that of several others (Caspi & Gorsky, 2005; Cox & Webb, 2004; Kozma, 2003; Lim, Pek, & Chai, 2005; Lou, Bernard & Abrami, 2006).