| authors |
Kvan, Th., West, R. and Vera, A. |
| year |
1998 |
| title |
Tools and Channels of Communication |
| source |
International Journal of Virtual Reality, 3:3, 1998, pp. 21-33 |
| summary |
This paper proposes a methodology to evaluate the effects of computer-mediated communication on collaboratively solving design problems. When setting up a virtual design community; choices must be made between a variety of tools; choices dictated by budget; bandwidth; ability and availability. How do you choose between the tools; which is useful and how will each affect the outcome of the design exchanges you plan? A commonly used method is to analyze the work done and to identify tools which support this type of work. In general; research on the effects of computer-mediation on collaborative work has concentrated mainly on social-psychological factors such as deindividuation and attitude polarization; and used qualitative methods. In contrast; we propose to examine the process of collaboration itself; focusing on separating those component processes which primarily involve individual work from those that involve genuine interaction. Extending the cognitive metaphor of the brain as a computer; we view collaboration in terms of a network process; and examine issues of control; coordination; and delegation to separate sub-processors. Through this methodology we attempt to separate the individual problem-solving component from the larger process of collaboration. |
| keywords |
Expertise; Collaboration; Novice |
| series |
journal paper |
| email |
|
| references |
Content-type: text/plain
|
| last changed |
2002/11/15 18:29 |
|
