Digital Communications and Networking Commons^™

Moderating Online Conferences, Revised Manuscript, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Elaine B. Kerr

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

While considerable lore has accumulated about effective leadership techniques for groups interacting electronically, until now it has not been systematically presented. This material is culled from the experiences of those who have moderated past online conferences, the knowledge common to the EIES User Consultants, and observed behavior from thousands of conferences convened on EIES in the past. While this is a system-specific guide, the general principles ought to be generalizable to other systems, with different structures for group discussion.

Robert Burns put it well:
The best laid schemes o' mice and men
Gang aft a-gley;
An' lea'e us nought but …

Integrating Working At Home With Information Systems Management, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Joseph C. Schuh

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The history of computerization has its origin in the automation of manual processes - searching out the segments that could be put on a computer. The intended result was that the entire job would be done faster and cheaper. Thus, current computer-based information systems tend to make more efficient use of computers than people. The management function, on the other hand, often seems to focus on competitive skills and salesmanship rather than on the ability to attract and hold talented people. But, such impersonal factors that have driven management practices are changing. There has been a complete reversal in the …

Determinants Of Acceptance Of Computer Mediated Communication System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Elaine B. Kerr, Kenneth Johnson, Murray Turoff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Acceptance of Computer-Mediated communication Systems (CMCS) by managers and professionals corresponds to its incorporation into their daily patterns of communication and work. Acceptance includes at least three inter-related dimensions: amount of use, subjective satisfaction with the process of using the system, and a perception that system use has positive impacts upon productivity.

Pre-use and follow-up questionnaires were distributed to 150- 250 new users of four different CMCS. Three are conferencing systems, designed to support "group work." They differ in terms of comprehensiveness or complexity of design, and size and nature of the user communities; COM/KOM, a Swedish system with mostly …

Mode Of Communication And The "Risky Shift" : A Controlled Experiment With Computerized Conferencing And Anonymity In A Large Corporation, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Murray Turoff, Kenneth Johnson

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Peer groups of five managers in a large company with a well developed corporate culture engaged in choice dilemma tasks using three modes of communication: face-to-face, synchronous computerized conferences with regular names, and synchronous computerized conferences with assigned pen names. This is the final technical report on the experiment, including documentation of all procedures, and reports of the tests of all hypotheses, including those which were not supported.

Choice behavior varied by problem and mode of communication. On a problem related to a major decision on the future of the company, conservative choices and conservative shifts dominated. On two choice …

The Effects Of Formal Human Leadership And Computer-Generated Decision Aids On Problem Solving Via Computer : A Controlled Experiment, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Murray Turoff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Twenty-four groups of five professionals and managers within a variety of organizations were given the task of using a computer conference to reach agreement on the best solution to a ranking problem.

The independent variable is the structure of the conferencing capability used. Two alternative means of structuring the conferences were employed, in a two-by-two factorial design. Groups with "Human Leadership" elected one of their members to lead the group in its decision making discussion. Groups with "Computer Feedback" were given periodic tables which displayed the current "group decision" in terms of the mean rankings of items, and the degree …

Resources Reference Guide 1 : A Preliminary Reference Guide For The Resources Network Database System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THIS PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTATION FOR THE RESOURCES NETWORK DATABASE SYSTEM CONFORMS TO THE SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS.

RESOURCES REFERENCE GUIDE 1 is for limited distribution and review. It is not a user manual. Your interaction with the system may not always be exactly as described. All major features except keyword relations are supported in part, if not fully, at this time. Operation of some facilities are some what slow pending funding for optimization.

Groups and individuals wishing to use RESOURCES on the Electronic Information Exchange System should make arrangements through the Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center at the New …

Studies Of Computer Mediated Communications Systems : A Synthesis Of The Findings, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Elaine B. Kerr

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This report is an attempt to collect and synthesize current knowledge about computer-mediated communication systems. It focuses on computerized conferencing systems, for which most evaluational studies have been conducted, and also includes those electronic mail and office support systems for which evaluative information is available. It was made possible only through the participation of the many systems designers and evaluators listed below, who took the time to help to build a common conceptual framework and report their findings in terms of that common framework.

Users' Manual For The Electronic Information Exchange System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Elaine B. Kerr, Murray Turoff, Peter Johnson-Lenz, Trudy Johnson-Lenz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The purpose of this manual is to teach you the simpler parts of the system and make you comfortable with using the one-page User's Guide. As you gain more experience with the system, you may wish to learn some of the advanced features available. But EIES (pronounced "eyes") has been designed so that you don't need to learn more than meets your needs.

Since the best way to learn how to use a computer system is by direct experience, don't be discouraged if some of this manual is confusing at first. The most effective way to learn is to try …

The Impact Of A Computerized Conferencing System On Scientific Research Communities, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The author is indebted to Murray Turoff for coauthoring the sections describing the EIES system and for his suppport and encouragement for this study at all stages. Mary Anne Solimine served as a research assistant, supervising the distribution, coding and tabulations of questionnaire responses. Without her diligent efforts, the study would not have been possible. Ann Marie Rabke, Joanne Garofalo, Diane Price, Duchess Brooks, Margaret Wnorowski, Christine Naegle, Sonia Khalil, and Marion Whitescarver provided valuable assistance with coding and data entry and editing tasks. Larry Landwebber was most cooperative in providing access to the Theory Net group. Alan Leurck, Thomas …

The Evolution Of A Tailored Communications Structure : The Topics System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Peter Johnson-Lenz, Trudy Johnson-Lenz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

A computer-based human communication system should be designed for people's use, in response to their perceived needs and communications styles; no single system can meet the needs of all groups and individuals. It might seem that a general electronic mail or computerized conferencing system with a standard set of features should be able to meet most communications needs, in much the same way that the telephone system meets the needs of a wide range of users. However, there are many communications structures found in everyday life, ranging from one-to-many news broadcasts, to the many-to-many patterns of town meetings, from the …

Guide To The Topics System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Peter Johnson-Lenz, Trudy Johnson-Lenz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

TOPICS is a system for computer-based information exchange among a network of people who share certain areas of interest. The system supports simultaneous discussion of many topics at once by allowing members to raise brief, pointed topics/inquiries and then to enter responses to those inquiries. The responses are shared with all members who express an interest in each topic by selecting it. The system is designed to facilitate the flow of inquiries and responses without overloading members with irrelevant or uninteresting information.

Nested within the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES), this tailored communication system written in the INTERACT programming language …

Face-To-Face Vs. Computerized Conferences : A Controlled Experiment, Volume Ii: Methodological Appendices, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Charles Aronovitch, Murray Turroff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This is volume II of research report 12. It is comprised of the methodoligical appendices that support volume I.

Face-To-Face Vs. Computerized Conferences : A Controlled Experiment. Volume I: Findings, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Charles Aronovitch, Murray Turroff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This is a report on the first controlled experiment conducted as part of a four year effort to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using the computer to structure the communication for various types of group tasks. It uses a language called INTERACT, developed as part of this grant effort, to administer all instructions and conduct a group problem solving discussion in a computer conference. The experiment compares the process and outcome of face to face vs. computer mediated group problem solving discussions.

The objectives of this experiment are the following "basic research" questions:

1. To gain quantified and detailed knowledge …

A Discussion Of Selected Aspects Of Privacy, Confidentiality, And Anonymity In Computerized Conferencing, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Robert Bezilla

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This paper presents a discussion of the potential uses of privacy, confidentiality and anonymity in computerized conferencing.

Section I begins with definitions of the concepts, their aspects and allied terms; and briefly discusses their use in general communications and problem-solving activities.

Section II explores their use in social research, particularly the survey method, a field that may yield useful analogues for computerized conferencing.

Section III outlines the various functions of privacy, confidentiality and anonymity that have been proposed for their constructive use in computerized conferencing.

Section IV reports various difficulties and compromises that have been encountered to date in striving …

Replicating Bales Problem Solving Experiments On A Computerized Conference: A Pilot Study, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Gail Agle

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Computerized Conferencing is a new form of communication in which the participants type their comments into a computer terminal, and receive their instructions and the comments of others printed on their terminal. This is a report on the results of a pilot study which was aimed mainly at exploring and solving the methodological problems presented by the need to adapt the procedures for conducting and coding face-to-face discussions to studies of this new medium. It represents the first set of controlled experiments on group discussions via a computerized conference.

The independent variable in this pilot study was mode of communication …

Research Options And Imperatives In Computerized Conferencing, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff, Philip Enslow, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, John Mckendree, Raymond Panko

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This is the report resulting from a computerized conferencing workshop held on the subject of potential research opportunities and requirements in the area of utilizing a computer to aid human communications. It was sponsored by the Division of Mathematical and Computer Sciences of the National Science Foundation (grant # MCS76-80514). The views expressed in this report are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect NSF views or policy.

The workshop utilized the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES) at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Development And Field Testing Of An Electronic Information Exchange System : Final Report On The Eies Development Project, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff, Starr Roxanne Hiltz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES) is a particular design of a computerized conferencing system intended to allow both the facilitation of scientific and technical communications and experimentation and research into human information-communication processes. To meet the first objective EIES offers functional components of messaging, conferencing, notebooks and bulletins for its users. To meet the second objective EIES allows for the tailoring of interfaces by individuals and groups, and the incorporation of special processing and interconnect options to other computer and information systems.

EIES is designed as a research tool or laboratory without walls in order to allow information scientists …

How To Use Electronic Information Exchange System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff, Trudy Johnson-Lenz, Peter Johnson-Lenz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This booklet is an introduction to the use of EIES, Electronic Information Exchange System. EIES (pronounced "eyes") is a very powerful computerized system that allows you to communicate with others on the system in a number of different ways. The intent of this booklet is to teach you the simpler parts of the system and to make you comfortable with using the one-page User's Guide For Electronic Information Exchange System. Later on, as you gain more experience with EIES, you may want to learn some of the more advanced features and tricks. EIES has been designed so that you have …

Programming Language Requirements For Human Communication Structures Or Computer Conferencing, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Peter Gordon Anderson

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Our overall goal is to be able, simply and quickly, to construct computer conferencing systems for new requirements, applications, and even experimental ideas or fantasies. One way to view this requirement is as the creation of a highly parameterized conferencing system itself. Our view, however, is that of a programming language; i.e., an integrated notational system for the specification of communication structures and the associated actions or computation to be taken by the computer system hosting the structure.

A communication structure consists of a group of people (and storage devices) each endowed with some characteristics, and some means of person-to-person …

Communication Processes In The Design And Implementation Of Models, Simulations And Simulation-Games: A Selective Review And Analysis, From The Vantage Point Of Computerized Conferencing, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Julian M. Scher

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Computerized conferencing is a new form of communication which permits a group of individuals, who could be separated in time as well as space, to engage in an interactive dialogue with each other through the convenience of their computer terminals. The software for a computerized conferencing system is designed to keep track of all messages communicated in the system, as well as insure that the various protocols for communication are observed by all.

Our objectives in this report are to examine the communication processes found in the design and implementation of models, simulations and simulation-games, and to identify those areas …

Computerized Conferencing And The Homebound Handicapped, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff, Howard Gage

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Computer conferencing is a relatively new technique which can be applied to improve both the efficiency of education, and communication services available to the homebound handicapped. A system is currently being implemented at the New Jersey Institute of Technology which allows such individuals to engage in a written form of conversation with other individuals or groups. Here the computer stores the discus­sion and keeps track of what everyone has or has not seen, so participants can communicate at a time and pace of their choosing. There is also provision for a range of ancillary facilities such as voting, word processing, …

Communications And Group Decision-Making : Experimental Evidence On The Potential Impact Of Computer Conferenging, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This paper is a selective review of small group experiments in the area of the relationship between communication (modes, structures, processes) and group decision-making or problem solving. There are literally hundreds of these experiments; the purpose of this effort has been to isolate and summarize the results of those experimental traditions which may have the most bearing upon:

1. our understanding of the probable social effects of computer conferencing as a communication mode;
2. the identification of possible experiments utilizing computer conferencing which appear to be potentially most fruitful in terms of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of computer conferencing in facilitating …

Initial Specifications Electronic Information Exchange System (Eie), Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This document is intended as a SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL to guide the development of the EIE System. It does not represent a User Manual although it contains the specification of the user abilities on the system. It is written in a highly segmented style which reflects the potential use of the material in the on-line EXPLANATION file which will be available as part of the EIE System and which will allow users to retrieve just enough information to satisfy a specific question on system use and options.

This comprehensive specification document is much harder to utilize for learning the system than …

The Resource Interruption Monitoring System : Basic Reporting Procedures And Sample Reports, United States. General Services Administration. Office Of Preparedness.

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This RIMS training manual was originally prepared by Mrs. Helen R. Nixon for use in her' office, Region 7, Dallas, Texas. It has subsequently been used for training at each OP Regional Office and at the Central Office in Washington. In anticipation of requirements for training of new users of RIMS under crisis reporting conditions, the manual is being issued for library reference and quantity reproduction.

Emisari: A Management Information System Designed To Aid And Involve People, Rod L. Renner, Robert M. Bechtold, Charles W. Clark, David O. Marbray, Ronald L. Wynn, Nancy H. Goldstein, United States. General Services Administration. Office Of Preparedness. Mathematics And Computation Laboratory.

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The EMISARI System described in this paper represents a major departure from conventional MIS design. It is oriented not toward data per se, but rather toward activities of the people who generate and use the data. Thus it provides not merely for reporting up the chain of command, but also for dissemination of policy guidance and reference material down the chain, and for lateral communication among all users. It places a premium upon flexibility, to permit rapid system modifications in response to changes in user functions and needs and it offers a greatly simplified operation, to avoid any necessity for …

Conference System User's Guide, Rod L. Renner, United States. General Services Administration. Office Of Preparedness. Mathematics And Computation Laboratory.

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This paper describes three methods of group communication utilizing computer terminals as the vehicle for conducting a group discussion. The system that provides; these methods was developed by OEP for a UNIVAC 1108 as a convenient form of communication among geographically dispersed individuals and/or as an adjunct to oral communications. Completely normal language is used. Use of the computer permits maintaining a written record automatically and allowing discussions in which participants need not talk and listen in synchronism (in contrast to conventional meetings and telephone conference calls). In two of the methods, the discussants need not even be participating simultaneously. …