Predicting computer‐mediated communication in a college class

Abstract

This study built on educational and organizational communication research to explain electronic mail and computer bulletin board use in a college‐level Physical Science class. We expected that computer experience, computer attitudes, and social presence would predict higher levels of computer‐mediated communication (CMC). Questionnaires were completed by 130 undergraduate volunteers in a class trained in CMC. Analysis revealed that weekly computer use and social presence were significant, positive predictors of CMC; anthropomorphizing, or personalizing computers, was a significant, negative predictor.